The Netflix hit is as fantastical as it is violent – but underpinning its macabre story of impoverished contestants risking their lives for money is a real crisis of personal debt in Korea. Why has it resonated all over the world?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The Korean debt crisis that inspired Squid Game’s dark dystopia

Hosted by Michael Safi and Helen Pidd, Today in Focus brings you closer to Guardian journalism. Combining personal storytelling with insightful analysis, this podcast takes you behind the headlines for a deeper understanding of the news, every weekday. Today in Focus features journalists such as: Kiran Stacey, Pippa Crerar, Alex Hern, Peter Walker, Luke Harding, Andrew Roth, Shaun Walker and Jim Waterson. The podcast is a topical, deep dive, explainer on a story in the news, covering: current affairs, politics, investigations, leaks, and scandals. It might cover, for example, topics such as: the environment, green issues, climate change, the climate emergency and global warming; American politics including: Biden, Trump, the White House, the GOP, the Republicans and the Republican Party, the Democrats and the Democratic Party; UK politics including: parliament, Labour, the Conservative party, the Liberal Democrats, Rishi Sunak, and Keir Starmer; culture; the royals and the royal family, including King Charles III; HS2; the police; Ukraine; Russia; and Bangladesh

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The prime minister is another MP down after Natalie Elphicke crossed the floor to join Labour. With the Conservatives trailing by 30 points after heavy local election losses, what options does Rishi Sunak now have? Guardian political correspondent Kiran Stacey tells Helen Pidd what these losses mean for the PM, and looks at what calculation Keir Starmer made in taking in a rightwing Tory. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Rishi Sunak staggers on – but for how long?

We hear from two Palestinians living in tents in the city of Rafah. As the threat of an Israeli invasion hangs over them, they decide whether to stay or leave. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Escaping Rafah: on the ground in Gaza’s last refuge

In 2019, ex-offender Marc Conway helped hold down a knifeman who killed two people in a terror attack. But by doing so he risked being recalled to prison. Simon Hattenstone reports Marc Conway risked his life to stop the London Bridge terror attack. Why did he fear being sent to prison for it?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The London Bridge ‘hero’ who could go to prison for 99 years

Multi-millionaire Bassim Haidar says ending the non-dom tax status is a mistake. He plans to leave the UK and says other non-doms will do the same. Should the government change their mind?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Non-doms are threatening to leave. Should they be convinced to stay?

Murray Dowey, a 16-year-old from Dunblane, was targeted by a sextortion scammer in the hours before he took his own life. Now his parents are raising awareness of this increasingly prevalent crime. Libby Brooks reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The Korean debt crisis that inspired Squid Game’s dark dystopia

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