The islands are "scattered" across the Mozambique Channel and western Indian Ocean, said France 24. They include Bassas da India, Europa, Juan de Nova, Tromelin and the Glorioso Islands.

In Madagascar, there’s a saying that goes: Tenim-bazaha tsy miverina indroa – “a white man never gives his word twice”. In daily life, it signals a refusal to repeat oneself, yet it still ...

France controls ... The Îles Éparses (Scattered Islands) – Tromelin, Glorieuses, Juan de Nova, Europa and Bassas da India – are littered across the Mozambique Channel between Madagascar ...

Sir Winston Churchill recognised the Channel Islands, being so close to occupied France, would be hard to retake and almost impossible to keep. He was happy to let the Germans expend huge efforts ...