Bush sends aid to Philippines, praises Vietnam rights

US President George W. Bush unveiled new aid for the typhoon-battered Philippines and praised Vietnam's "noteworthy" progress on religious freedoms in talks Tuesday with their visiting leaders. Bush offered "deep condolences" to Philippines President Gloria Arroyo over devastating Typhoon Fengshen and said he was sending a US aircraft carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, and other US Navy assets to help with relief efforts. "This is a time where America needs to step up, and we will," he told her as they met in the Oval Office. "We are happy to do it, we want to help our friends in a time of need."