Speculation that Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire mayor of New York, will run as an independent in the US presidential race was growing today.

Bloomberg - who publicly denies he is planning a presidential bid - is set to attend a high-profile political meeting on national unity next week, and the 65-year-old’s aides are reported to be examining the procedure for entering the race.

Next Sunday, the mayor is due to attend behind closed doors talks among senior politicians of both main parties to promote bipartisan politics.

One of the organisers, former senator David Boren, told the New York Times he would urge Bloomberg to stand as an independent if the Democratic and Republican nominees continued to promote a partisan approach.

“Normally I don’t think an independent candidacy would have a chance. [But] I don’t think these are normal times,” he told the paper. However, he insisted: “This is not a Bloomberg for president meeting.”

The meeting will be held between the crucial nomination votes for the Democratic and Republican candidates in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Prominent politicians including the Republican senator Chuck Hagel and the former Democratic senator Sam Nunn will be attending. Both are being named as possible running mates for Bloomberg.

Bloomberg, a 65-year-old multi billionaire, was originally a Democrat but stood as Republican as mayor of New York before declaring himself an independent last June.

In joint letter about the meeting from Nunn and Boren, Reuters quoted them as saying: “Our political system is, at the very least, badly bent and many are concluding that it is broken at a time where America must lead boldly at home and abroad.

“Partisan polarisation is preventing us from uniting to meet the challenges that we must face if we are to prevent further erosion of America’s power of leadership and example.”

A FRENCH magistrate yesterday denied any role in the controversial decision to embalm the body of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Maud Morel Coujard, who was a deputy public prosecutor in Paris in 1997, told the inquest into the princess’s death that she was not initially informed of the decision - contrary to claims by Mohamed al-Fayed.

Mr Fayed, whose son Dodi also died in the crash, is convinced the procedure was ordered by MI6 via the British ambassador to Paris, Sir Michael Jay, to conceal a pregnancy.

The Harrods owner believes that Diana was engaged to Dodi and was carrying his baby, but was murdered in an MI6 plot ordered by the Duke of Edinburgh to prevent the mother of the future king having a Muslim child.

Meanwhile, the coroner chairing the inquest last night said he was considering appealing against a High Court ruling over how crucial paparazzi evidence must be handled.

Two judges backed a legal challenge to Lord Justice Scott Baker’s decision to have statements from the photographers - who are refusing to give evidence in person and be cross- examined - read to the jury.

The ruling placed a question mark over how evidence from the paparazzi, who pursued Diana on the night of her death, could be heard.

The coroner revealed he had successfully applied for leave to appeal the judgment, which, he said, could “add materially to the length and cost of the inquest”.

December 31, 2007 — Rejoice. It’s time to fatten up your bank account and slim down your body. Any forthcoming New Year’s resolutions toward those ends will find handy boosts from a host of titles.

If you’re dreading those wannabe makeover crowds that jam health clubs during in January and February only to drop out in March, get your own head start from Women’s Health. A cover package touts a six-month training program to get fit from head to abs to toes, along with a diet focusing on your unique body chemistry. For kicks, there’s a quick workout plan for instant results, as well as a checklist analyzing your body’s unusual habits, urges and peculiarities. And don’t forget the the most important organ - your brain. Use it or lose it with some great workouts to whip your neurons back into shape.

Skip Self’s cover story on Faith Hill, unless you’re into country singers and how they live their lives. Flip through the piles of ad pages and useless fashion tips and start with the story on how to drop a size in a month. The diet is tailored to your personal eating style - big snacker or three hearty meals a day - and asks you to tweak one little habit each day. We also enjoyed the diet plan that boosts your libido and the article on how to burn 100 calories in 10 minutes.

Fitness magazine promises to help you get thin, but the book itself is pretty slim on advice. The cover girl for the most recent issue is tiny Kelly Ripa, who shares her three top fitness tips. The best part of the issue are the features and how-to pictures for various exercise programs and eating plans. We especially liked the story on how to achieve a flat belly. It’s all about the calories, folks.

Unlike fat, money sheds pretty easily. As the economy’s turbulent new year arrives - and options grow slimmer for making money - Forbes offers a menu of likely winners. Its cover package suggests assembling a portfolio that includes outfits that make booze (always a seller in bad times). Prudence underscores all the strategies in the magazine’s annual investment guide, such as trolling for stocks that offer a dividend. The issue also provides some cautionary tales on seemingly attractive bets, such as investing in Poland or India.

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