In France, 1,200 Vehicles Torched Over New Year's

Burned cars collected by city employees during New Year's Eve in Strasbourg

French authorities say nearly 1,200 parked vehicles were set on fire during New Year’s Eve across the country.

Interior Minister Manuel Valls also said police and rioters clashed in Strasbourg and Mulhouse and that 339 people were arrested.

It was the first time in three years that authorities have announced the number of vehicles that went up in flames.

The government of former President Nicolas Sarkozy had stopped releasing the total in a bid to reduce attention given to vandals.

Based on reporting by AP and dpa