Two aspects of cosmic rays and cosmology are considered here. Firstly, the relevance of extragalactic cosmic rays to the radiation – and magnetic – fields in the Universe and secondly the contribution of Galactic cosmic rays (or other entities allied to them) to the 'foreground' in analysis of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). Concerning the latter, we present evidence strongly suggesting that the foreground is, indeed, important. Coupled with the demonstration of asymmetries, of Galactic form, in the CMB maps the case for changes to the presently-derived cosmological parameters is strong.