Buy now, pay later loans will now affect US credit scores – what does that mean for consumers?

A new change to buy now, pay later loans means borrowers’ credit scores may see a change, which has worried some users of the loans.“I have a feeling that I’m just not going to have as much access to spending power and zero or really low APR rates,” said Nicole Nitta, a 31-year-old Las Vegas resident, who uses BNPL and shared that she already does not have great credit.Fico, the credit scoring company used by most US lenders, announced on 23 June that they would include BNPL loans, which play “an increasingly important role in consumers’ financial lives”, to help lenders more “accurately evaluate credit readiness”.For users of companies like Affirm, Afterpay and Klarna, the new calculation could benefit them because it allows them to build their credit – if, of course, they pay back the loans on time, experts say.Nitta first used BNPL for essentials in 2021, like non-perishable food items

How has Ryanair changed its cabin baggage rule – and will other airlines do it too?

For all but the most seasoned travellers the metal bag sizers used by budget airlines have become an instrument of fear because of the heavy financial penalty incurred if hand baggage is too big to fit.But as the summer holiday season gets under way there is some good news for those who struggle to travel light: Ryanair has announced it is increasing the size of the small “personal” bag you can take in the cabin for free by 20%.Yes. But it comes as airlines fall into line behind a new EU guaranteed bag size of 40cm by 30cm by 15cm. The current dimensions of the Ryanair free carry-on limit are 40cm by 25cm by 20cm – below the EU rule

Elon Musk’s proposed new political party could focus on a few pivotal congressional seats

The new US political party that Elon Musk has boasted about possibly bankrolling could initially focus on a handful of attainable House and Senate seats while striving to be the decisive vote on major issues amid the thin margins in Congress.Tesla and SpaceX’s multibillionaire CEO mused about that approach on Friday in a post on X, the social media platform which he owns, as he continued feuding with Donald Trump over the spending bill that the president has signed into law.“One way to execute on this would be to laser-focus on just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts,” wrote Musk, who is the world’s richest person and oversaw brutal cuts to the federal government after Trump’s second presidency began in January. “Given the razor-thin legislative margins, that would be enough to serve as the deciding vote on contentious laws, ensuring they serve the true will of the people.”Musk did not specify any seats which he may be eyeing

Minister demands overhaul of UK’s leading AI institute

The technology secretary has demanded an overhaul of the UK’s leading artificial intelligence institute in a wide-ranging letter that calls for a switch in focus to defence and national security, as well as leadership changes.Peter Kyle said it was clear further action was needed to ensure the government-backed Alan Turing Institute met its full potential.In a letter to ATI’s chair, seen by the Guardian, Kyle said the institute should be changed to prioritise defence, national security and “sovereign capabilities” – a reference to nation states being able to control their own AI technology.The call for new priorities implies a downgrading of ATI’s focus on health and the environment, which are two of three core subjects for the institute, alongside defence and security, under its “Turing 2.0” strategy

England v India: second men’s cricket Test, day four – live

82nd over: India 422-6 (Jadeja 66, Washington 10) Washington Sundar gets off the mark by blasting his second ball over mid-off for six. AND WHY NOT. He hits four more to take India’s lead past 600.“I checked the West Zone/South Zone scorecard (just got an Airplane flashback typing that),” writes Rob Wolf Petersen. “Did you notice Karthik made 183 and 150 in the match? Fair to say he probably felt a little unfortunate to finish on the losing side

Tour de France 2025: Philipsen wins stage one and takes yellow on chaotic day – live

Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis), 2ptsJonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), 1ptJonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), 20ptsBryan Coquard (Cofidis), 17ptsBiniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty), 15ptsJasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), 13ptsAnthony Turgis (Total Energies), 11ptsJasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) 3hr 53mins 01secBiniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) +4secsSoren Waerenskjold (Uno-X Mobility) +6secsAnthony Turgis (Total Energies) +10secsMatteo Trentin (Tudor Pro Cycling) +10secsClément Russo (Groupama-FDJ) +10secsPaul Penhoët (Groupama-FDJ) +10secsMatteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) +10secsMarius Mayrhofer (Tudor Pro Cycling) +10secsSamuel Watson (Ineos Grenadiers) +10secs1. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) 2. Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) 3. Soren Waerenskjold (Uno-X Mobility) 4. Anthony Turgis (Total Energies) 5