Washington, D.C.: Bush polishing proposal for interim Palestinian state

President Bush on Monday put the finishing touches on a proposal for a provisional Palestinian state covering parts of the West Bank.

He intends to set out a sequence of steps that would require democratic reform within the Palestinian leadership in order to achieve statehood, said a senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Bush’s announcement is expected this week.

Also Monday, the White House sought to distance itself from Israel’s decision to construct fences and take other measures to separate itself from Palestinians as a safeguard against terror attack.

“Israel has a right to defend itself,” said White House spokesman Scott McClellan. “But all parties have to be aware of the consequences of their actions.”

California: Crews burned, plane crashes in separate wildfire battles

A wildfire raging east of Los Angeles overran two fire engine crews Monday, burning three people and shutting down Interstate 15, the main route between Southern California and Las Vegas.

The accident came within hours of a firefighting plane crash in Northern California that killed three people.

The firefighters near San Bernardino suffered first- and second-degree burns to their hands, elbows, and noses, said Bill Peters, spokesman for the California Department of Forestry’s San Bernardino unit.

In Northern California, an air tanker crashed while fighting a 6,500-acre blaze near Walker. Authorities and witnesses said the tanker was on fire as it crashed in the tiny town. Other aircraft were immediately grounded.

Cape Canaveral, Fla.: Shuttle homecoming delayed

Thunderstorms forced NASA to postpone Monday’s homecoming for the three men who are returning to Earth and the arms of their loved ones after a record-setting stay of more than six months aboard the international space station.

More rain was expected for Tuesday’s landing attempt by space shuttle Endeavour, and gusty wind was forecast at the backup site in California’s Mojave Desert.

U.S. astronauts Daniel Bursch and Carl Walz and their Russian commander, Yuri Onufrienko, logged their 194th day in orbit Monday. The Americans broke NASA’s 188-day space endurance record last week.

The shuttle has enough fuel and supplies to remain in orbit until Thursday.