Xinhua world news summary at 0030 GMT, Dec. 17

LOS ANGELES -- The deadly wildfire that has scorched the U.S. state of California for nearly two weeks still raged on Saturday and threatened a wealthy community northwest of Los Angeles, prompting new evacuations in Santa Barbara County.

The so-called Thomas Fire, now ranked the third largest wildfire in modern history of California, was moving rapidly and now took aim at the hills above Montecito, known for its luxury resorts and mansions of celebrities. (US-Wildfire-Evacuation)

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TEHRAN -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday dismissed as "baseless" the U.S. allegations that Tehran supplies missiles to Yemeni Shiite Houthis, Press TV reported.

"In an attempt to cover up its presence in the region and its measures which can mostly amount to war crimes, the United States raises baseless allegations against the Islamic Republic of Iran by displaying a piece of metal," Zarif told reporters on Saturday. (Iran-Yemen-Houthis)

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KIGALI -- Rwandan President Paul Kagame was on Saturday re-elected as chairperson of the ruling party Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) for the next five-year term.

Party delegates from within and outside the country elected RPF's National Executive Committee, the party's leadership, which includes chairman, vice chairman, secretary general and 22 commissioners, on the last day of the three-day RPF national congress. (Rwanda-Ruling party-Kagame)

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MOGADISHU -- Several senior Al-Shabaab militants were killed in a drone strike on the outskirts of the coastal city of Kismayo in southern Somalia.

A military official who prefers not to be named said several strikes hit an Al-Shabaab base in Berhani location, some 60 km south of Kismayo, killing several senior militants. (Kenya-US-Militants) Enditem