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Two tiny islands break away.

Two tiny French islands broke away from Guadeloupe, gaining partial financial and political autonomy, reports AP (July 15, 2007). St. Barts and St. Martin can now create or change laws related to local taxes, tourism, public transportation and other issues, according to the French government. St.

Barts, a popular retreat for the rich and famous, also gained jurisdiction over housing, construction and environmental and energy affairs, areas over which St. Martin will have autonomy in 2012. About 35,000 people live on St. Martin and about 7,000 on St. Barts. Both are still considered French territories but are no longer dependencies of Guadeloupe, an overseas French department. Residents in both islands overwhelmingly approved the new status in a 2003 referendum.

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