It may be tempting to dream of vacations and book some leisure travel as you head into the weekend. Resist. Airline tickets are generally priciest on Fridays. Average prices for tickets bought on Friday are 13% higher than on Sunday, according to a new analysis of tickets sold world-wide over the past year.

The choice at checkout used to be simple, credit or cash. Now consumers confront a dizzying array of payment possibilities, PIN or signature, dip or swipe, wave or tap or do you want to pay with your watch?

Some companies are hiring first and figuring out jobs for these recruits later. Amid a fierce market for college recruits, companies are making offers to dozens of hires without having a particular job waiting, or even, sometimes, a starting salary.

Much more is highlighted in A Look Around the Nation and the World.