Topic: McLean (Virginia)

Americans now love 15-year fixed mortgages

Rates on a 15-year fixed mortgage are so low that many homeowners can afford the higher payment, which allows them to pay off their mortgage in 15 years instead of the standard 30.

Investor alert: Bribery risks are rising

Despite government crackdowns and shareholder demands for greater transparency, the risks of bribery will increase as multinational corporations push further into emerging markets.

Focus Sen. Dick Lugar trails GOP rival in poll. A surge of tea party power?

Ahead of Tuesday's GOP primary in Indiana, incumbent Sen. Dick Lugar lags challenger Richard Mourdock by 10 points, a new poll shows. A Lugar defeat would be a convincing demonstration of tea party power in 2012 election cycle.

Bill Clinton: 5 reasons he is helping Obama

Four years ago, former President Clinton got his knuckles rapped for calling Sen. Barack Obama's presidential aspirations a "fairy tale." Now the 42nd president is appearing on the stump with No. 44. Here are five reasons for Mr. Clinton to go all out for the newest member of the Presidents Club.

Mitt Romney's problem with women voters: views from a battleground state

In Virginia, a 2012 battleground state, women prefer Obama to Mitt Romney by 13 percentage points, polls show. Analysts say Virginia reflects the national outlook, which could bode well for the president come November.

Why are used cars so expensive?

Late-model used cars are in short supply, jacking up the price. Some cars, like the Mazda CX-9 Touring SUV, are cheaper new than used.

King-size candy is dead! Long live smaller bars?

King-size candy will no longer be made after 2013, says maker of M&M's, Twix, and Snickers. King-size candy bars will give way to products with no more than 250 calories. 

Ali Wentworth: 8 stories from an inside-the-Beltway childhood

From her new memoir 'Ali in Wonderland,' the actress and comedian shares memories of her Washington D.C. upbringing and later life as a wife and mother.

Freddie Mac CEO, others leaving in shakeup

Freddie Mac will lose CEO Haldeman, its chairman, and two board members in coming months. It's the biggest management shakeup at Freddie Mac since the US took it over in 2008.

Surprise! Women started more firms than men.

Before the recession, women were starting twice as many firms as men. Now, they may do even better.

Freddie Mac requests $1.8 billion in aid after 2nd quarter loss

Freddie Mac is asking for $1.8 billion in additional federal aid after posting a larger loss in the second quarter.

Can social media save the world? Some nonprofits give it a try.

Several efforts are afoot to harness the potential of social media for aid organizations and similar groups. The idea is to efficiently get help to people who need it.

Terrorism cases force more Muslim Americans to grapple with homegrown jihad

Recent arrests of Muslim men in terrorism plots lead some adherents to ask if they need to approach risks of homegrown jihadists with more urgency.

SpaceX signs largest-ever commercial rocket launch deal (Falcon 9 will be busy)

SpaceX, fresh off the success of its Falcon 9 rocket debut, has signed the largest commercial launch contract, worth $492 million.

Impact of emission caps: costlier cars that will be cheaper to drive

New emission caps on greenhouse gases will add $950 to car prices but save $4,000 in fuel over the life of the car, the government says.

Al Franken could be US fiscal savior

A star-struck economist explains her hopes for Sen. Al Franken.

This week's Top 8 intriguing job offers

The day we had breakfast at Senator Kennedy’s House

White House Press Secretary Gibbs mocks birthers

Auto firms' woes test customer loyalty

Any bankruptcy among Big Three is likely to cut into retention, making recovery even harder.

Does your mechanic have the data needed to fix your car?

As more independent mechanics say manufacturers deny them access to data, states debate 'right to repair' laws.

Opinion: We're on information overload

Kids can't focus these days, and neither can I.

Chávez, China cooperate on oil, but for different reasons

The Venezuelan president touts Beijing's $4 billion investment as another punch in his bid to undermine US clout. China is more pragmatic.