Solicitors for Paris probe charges of Strauss - Kahn (AP)

PARIS - the Paris Prosecutor, said Friday it has opened a preliminary investigation into the charges by a French writer who former IMF Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn tried to rape her.

The probe comes just as New York prosecutors are weighing to go forward with a case in which a woman in room charged with Strauss-Kahn or non - long considered a top competitor for the Presidency of the France - of sexual assault. Questions have emerged about the credibility of the servant, throwing the case of prestige in the confusion.

Back in France, writer and journalist Tristane Banon filed a criminal complaint this week saying that Strauss-Kahn attacked in an apartment empty in 2003 in an interview for a book project, struggling with her on the floor, while he was trying to tear off his clothes.

An official at the Paris Prosecutor's Office, said Friday that a preliminary investigation was initiated on the complaint. The official was not authorized to be named publicly because the investigation is ongoing.

The probe allows researchers to a brigade of special police to question Banon and loved ones of him on the incident for eight years.

Also, it could allow researchers in the question Strauss-Kahn, but probably not less than and up to what it returns France. New York authorities have kept his passport pending a decision on what happens in the case of the it.

Strauss-Kahn smoking at the head of the Monetary Fund International, after he was arrested in New York in May to charges of assault by a servant of the hotel. Strauss-Kahn denies wrongdoing, and last week, he was released without bail after prosecutors said publicly that the lady has a history of lying.

Questions have also surfaced on the viability of the French charge against Strauss-Kahn.

Banon is no official report of victims after the alleged attack and Banon lawyer describes any physical evidence that could be brought against Strauss-Kahn.

Banon has recognized the difficulty of proving her case, saying that it has taken steps to deal with the trauma of the alleged incident and refute those who say that she lied.

She stated in an interview with L'Express magazine that Strauss-Kahn grabbed his arm and hand until the two fell to the floor of his apartment and fought for several minutes, with the politician tries to open his jeans and bra and put his fingers in his mouth and undergarments.

Counsel for Strauss-Kahn called the "imaginary" incident and threatened to file a criminal complaint accusing Banon of defamation.

After the preliminary probe in his application, which can take weeks or months, the Paris Prosecutor's Office could decide to drop the case or to continue the investigation, which could lead to a trial.

The probe will help prosecutors determine if his allegations support a charge of attempted rape, rather than the less serious crime of sexual assault. Under French law, sexual assault is an attack that does not involve an attempt to penetrate the victim. It has a three-year limitation period - meaning the 2003 incident would be old to sue - compared to 10 for attempted rape.

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Angela Charlton contributed to this report.

KB Home stung by low home orders and charges (AP)

LOS ANGELES - House KB shares has more than 15 percent Wednesday, after that the builders have reported the loss of its second quarter more than doubled in dull sales and higher costs, and the company reported that it plans to use capital markets to raise funds.

The company said it might consider selling the shares, obligations or get a credit line because it provides having to pay $ 100 million to cover a bond maturity later this year to more than 200 million constructor has agreed to pay to settle a dispute of joint venture.

Management pointed out that the company has enough cash at this time and that he still has some time to evaluate its options.

This insurance has done little to compensate for how investors size results in worse than expected, KB Home. Shares at the end of the regular session down $ 1.84 to $10.08 and slipped another penny stock aftermarket.

New KB Home orders for the March for the period from may, coinciding with the spring season of home sales, fell by 11% over the previous year, tax incentives Federal helped boost sales. Delivery at home, major sources of income, fell by 29%.

CEO and President Jeffrey Mezger said that a housing turnaround remains hampered by concerns of consumers on jobs and the economy of the United States.

"Much recent national reports on the activity of housing reflect soft today housing environment and demonstrate that we have a way to go on the road towards a resumption of housing, has declared Mezger.

The United States sales of new homes fell to 2.1 per cent in May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 319,000 homes. Sales of new homes increased two months before, but remain far below the 700,000 that a month economists consider healthy.

And consumer confidence hit a minimum of seven month this month on continuing concerns about the high unemployment rate and the stagnation of wages.

Trends in sales of KB for the quarter echoes to those of other major manufacturers this year. Many saw a seasonal bump in traffic of the customer this spring, the traditional peak sales, but the interest period rajouteraient has not translated into robust sales.

A factor is the first time buyers were not transform as they did last year, when the tax credits were in force. This market segment represents more than half of KB clients.

First time buyers also tend to have a difficulty in qualifying for real estate loans, in lending standards tightened. And many of those who are eligible for funding have chosen to buy cheaper, resale homes.

"It's a big negative, not only for KB, but a large negative for the sector," said Demir Gjokaj, senior analyst at the ITG Investment Research in New York. "It shows us that, without doubt, the first time buyer is not back."

Buyers who decide to buy a House often take months, not days or weeks, to diving.

"They explore all options and they are nervous," said Mezger.

However, some markets, including parts of the coastline in California and Texas, show signs of stability, with real estate remains flat or rising prices, said Mezger.

Assuming that these markets and others remain stable, KB expects that it will be profitable in the fourth quarter.

KB Home, based in Los Angeles, said lost $ 68.5 million, or 89 cents per share, in the three months that was completed on May 31. That compares to a loss of $ 30.7 million, or 40 cents per share, in the same period last year.

The results include $ 20.6 million in impairments of inventory costs and land option contract dropouts and a loss of $ 14.5 million on a loan guarantee related to southern Edge LLC, a joint venture in Las Vegas. Earlier this month, the manufacturer has reached an agreement with JPMorgan Chase & Co. and several other banks that made loans to the company.

Quarterly income collapsed KB 27 percent, to 271.7 million 1077 million the previous year.

Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected a loss of 31 cents per share on approximately 291.4 million of revenue.

KB Home builds homes in 12 States and has been classified the fifth largest builders in the nation last year by closures.