Nation, world briefs 5/10/2015

36 killed during Iraqi prison break

BAGHDAD -- Forty inmates in a prison in northeastern Iraq, including some convicted of terrorism charges, escaped amid a riot that killed at least six police officers and 30 prisoners, authorities said Saturday. There were conflicting casualty reports on the attack at the Khalis prison in Diyala province. Two provincial police officials and a medical official put the toll at 51 inmates and 12 policemen killed, while more than 200 inmates escaped. Brig. Gen. Saad Maan Ibrahim, the Interior Ministry spokesman, put the death toll at 36, including six police officers and 30 prisoners, and said 40 inmates escaped. Ibrahim said a fight broke out among the inmates of the prison and when guards went to investigate, they were overpowered and had their weapons taken.

Arizona prison guard sexually assaulted

PHOENIX -- A female guard was sexually assaulted by a male inmate at an Arizona prison in the second such attack on an employee in the last 18 months, corrections officials said. The April 13 attack at the state prison complex in Yuma only was revealed by the state Department of Corrections late Friday after inquiries by The Associated Press. When asked why the department didn't acknowledge the attack earlier, corrections spokesman Andrew Wilder said the agency was focused on investigating the assault. "Our priority is to have a full and thorough investigation of the facts and make sure that is conducted to ensure that justice is served for the victim in the matter," Wilder said. The assault follows the January 2014 rape of a female teacher at another prison that brought criticism.

Tropical storm Ana nears the Carolinas

MIAMI -- Beachgoers were warned away, emergency officials kept an eye and at least one graduation ceremony was forced indoors as Tropical Storm Ana plodded toward the Carolinas on Saturday in an early heaping of rough weather weeks ahead of the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season. Ana was centered about 65 miles southeast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Saturday evening, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. The storm had top sustained winds of 60 mph but had slowed from its earlier speed, moving northwest at 3 mph, and was forecast to be "very near" the coasts of South and North Carolina sometime this morning.

Emma, Noah top list of baby names

WASHINGTON -- Emma is back. After slipping from the top of the most popular baby names six years ago, Emma was back at No. 1 in 2014. Noah was the top baby name for boys for the second year in a row. The Social Security Administration released the annual list of top baby names Friday. Emma was followed by Olivia, Sophia, Isabella and Ava. Noah was followed by Liam, Mason, Jacob and William. Emma's popularity soared in 2002, the same year Rachel, a character on the popular TV show "Friends," named her baby Emma. Also boosting the name, actress Emma Watson played Hermione Granger in the popular Harry Potter movies. Emma has been ranked among the top three baby names for girls since 2003.

-- Associated Press