They talk about their lives on the island of Socotra, in a language whose origins are lost in time—unchanged for centuries and understood today by fewer people than live in Ames, Iowa.

The archipelago was struck by Cyclone Mekunu on Wednesday night, leaving at least 17 people missing and forcing its native population to flee floodwaters. Socotra is part of Yemen, which is ...

Bayley Balfour proceeded to Socotra early in 1880, accompanied by Mr. A. Scott, a gardener, and joined at Aden by Lieut. Cockburn, for the purpose of investigating the natural history of the island.

Socotra's unique flora has been attracting botanists since the 19th century and, more recently, European pharmaceutical companies. Frank Gardner / BBC The rare, endemic Socotra Bunting, Emberiza ...