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New Zealanders head to the polls next month in an election that looks likely to bring back the kind of coalition government the country has known in recent decades, as neither of two main parties is on track to win a majority.

Here are the key parties and potential combinations that may emerge from the Oct. 14 general election.

LIKELY BEDFELLOWS: LABOUR AND GREENS

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has headed the Labour Party since Jacinda Ardern abruptly resigned in January. She led the centre-left party to a landslide victory in 2020, forming the only single-party government since proportional representation was introduced in 1996.

But even before Hipkins took over, Labour's fortunes had started to shift, as swing voters complained the party had taken on too many minority causes at the expense of middle-class New Zealanders struggling with rising costs of living.

Hipkins, 44, has steered the party toward the centre, saying its focus is on "bread and butter issues". But with Labour trailing the centre-right National Party 28%-39% in the latest opinion poll, it looks unlikely Hipkins can hold onto power alone.

Labour has previously governed with the support of the minority Green Party. While not formally in coalition now, the Greens agreed to cooperate with Labour after the 2020 election, with one of their members becoming minister for climate change.

LEADING CONTENDERS: NATIONAL + ACT NEW ZEALAND

National, on track to be the largest party, according to polling, might be able to form a government with ACT New Zealand. The right-wing party, however, has said it would not necessarily join National in a coalition but instead provide support case by case.

Christopher Luxon, 53, the former Air New Zealand (AIR.NZ) chief who leads National, has built voter support for the party even as he personally trails Hipkins in popularity.

POTENTIAL KINGMAKERS

Winston Peters and his populist New Zealand First party are campaigning with slogans such as "Let’s take the country back." The 78-year-old, who joined the 2017 coalition that brought Ardern to power, has vowed not to put Labour in government again, while Labour has ruled out working with New Zealand First.

Te Pati Maori focuses on Indigenous solutions for the country's Indigenous people. In the past it supported a National government, but Luxon has said he would not work with the Maori party. (Reuters)

Malaysia has taken action against 400 companies so far this year for violating labour laws, state news agency Bernama reported, citing Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar.

The ministry's labour department issued fines totalling 2.17 million ringgit ($463,000) against 272 employers, while the courts fined 128 employers a combined 242,000 ringgit, Bernama cited Sivakumar as saying on Thursday.

The labour violations included illegal wage deductions, Sivakumar said.

The minister did not name the companies, nor did he give details of the labour offences.

Malaysia is a key link in the global supply chain, manufacturing everything from palm oil to medical gloves and semiconductor chips.

Malaysian companies have faced U.S. bans in recent years over allegations of abuses against migrant workers, who are employed widely in the country's manufacturing and plantation industries.

The allegations of forced labour include debt bondage, excessive working hours, retention of passports and unhygienic dormitories.

Malaysia has set a target to eliminate forced labour practices by 2030. (Reuters)

China said it is willing to maintain regular strategic communication and deepen exchanges on governance with Cambodia, state media said on Friday after leaders of the two countries met.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. Xi said China was willing to work with Cambodia on law enforcement and security cooperation and continue to crack down on cross-border crimes such as internet gambling and telecommunication fraud. (Reuters)

The Kremlin said on Friday that Russia and North Korea had not sign any agreements on military matters or on any other areas during Kim Jong Un's visit to Russia this week.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that there had not been a plan to sign any formal agreements during the visit, which saw Kim hold one-on-one talks with President Vladimir Putin.

Kim, who is still in Russia, inspected a Russian fighter jet factory that is under Western sanctions on Friday.

Washington and its allies fear his visit could strengthen Russia's military in Ukraine and bolster Pyongyang's missile program. (Reuters)