The U.K. hands Chagos Islands over to Mauritius but says it will secure a U.S. base
The Chagos Islands are in the middle of the Indian Ocean and home to a strategic military base on Diego Garcia.
Indian Ocean
France rushes help to Mayotte, where hundreds are feared dead from Cyclone Chido
France was rushing help by ship and military aircraft to its poor overseas territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean on Monday after the island was shattered by its worst storm in nearly a century.
The Oil Spill At Mauritius Is A Disaster. And It Could Soon Get Worse
A Japanese-owned cargo ship ran aground in late July and began leaking oil a few days ago. Now a crack has expanded in its hull. The island nation is home to species that live nowhere else.
Remote Island Chain Has Few People — But Hundreds Of Millions Of Pieces Of Plastic
The Cocos Keeling Islands make up barely 6 square miles in the Indian Ocean. It's a good place to measure debris because almost no one lives there. Scientists were flabbergasted by what they found.
U.N. Court Says U.K. Must Give Up Control Of Chagos Islands
The U.K. expelled the residents of the Indian Ocean islands and allowed the U.S. to build a military base. The U.N. Court says it must cede control of the islands "as rapidly as possibly."
Sailboat From U.S. Teen's Doomed Round-The-World Attempt Found Drifting Off Australia
"My heart skipped a beat. It brought back many memories — good and not so good": Seeing her boat Wild Eyes brought back a flood of emotions, says Abby Sunderland, who's now 25.
Experts: Flight MH370 Debris Could Have Reached Western Indian Ocean
A scientist who studies ocean circulation patterns tells NPR that it's "highly likely" that floating wreckage from the airliner could have reached the island of Reunion near Madagascar.
Islanders Pushed Out For U.S. Base Hope For End To 40-Year Exile
Britain forced thousands off Diego Garcia, a remote Indian Ocean island, in the '70s to make way for a U.S. military base. For 40 years residents have fought to return. Now they have a growing chance.