Guadeloupe islands break away
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Two tiny French Caribbean islands officially broke away from Guadeloupe, gaining partial financial and political autonomy.
St. Barts and St. Martin can now create or change laws related to local taxes, tourism, public transportation and other issues, according to a statement by the French government.
St. Barts also gained jurisdiction over housing, construction and environmental and energy affairs, areas over which St. Martin will have autonomy in 2012.
Both islands are still considered French territories but are no longer dependencies of Guadeloupe, an overseas French department.
Residents of both islands overwhelmingly approved the new status in a 2003 referendum.
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