Almost 17% of bus passengers have abandoned Brisbane’s regional bus companies and returned to their cars, figures show.

Rail Back on Track says the drop showed passengers were shunning out-of-date connections between regional bus lines because they "did not begin earlier enough or run late enough".

By contrast, Brisbane City Council’s bus lines show an overall passenger drop of 3.8 per cent. The Queensland government continues to invest in public transport and create initiatives to encourage greater use.

Saudi Arabia has now called the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at its Istanbul consulate a "huge and grave mistake".

Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir has given multiple and conflicting accounts about Khashoggi's killing on October 2nd, first denying his death before admitting it on Saturday amid an international outcry.

Afghanistan's second day of parliamentary elections came to a close as a roadside bomb brought the two-day death toll to over 50.

Despite the Taliban and Islamic State Affiliate warning voters against casting ballots in parliamentary elections, around 4 million of Afghanistan's 8.8 million registered voters have cast their ballots amid violence in regions including capital city, Kabul.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has summarised the practices under Catholic institutions; however, certain victims throughout Ballarat are refusing to accept the federal government’s reparations.

Certain survivor’s have dismissed Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s national apology, dismissing them as “hollow” due to inconsistent reporting laws.  

Independent candidate Kerryn Phelps is predicted to win the Wentworth by-election, a seat held by the Liberal Party since the 1940s.

Phelps currently has a lead of over 1600 votes after preferences, with a swing against Liberal Candidate Dave Sharma by up to 19 per cent.

Postal votes are continued to be tallied, as well as voting booths recounted to ensure accuracy.

Yesterday’s widespread storms throughout South East Queensland saw Brisbane Airport forced to delay or cancel domestic flights.

As the Bureau of Meteorology has observed “golf ball sized hail” , residents throughout the region were urged to stay safe.

Flash flooding was also observed in Toowoomba, along with sparks from power lines.

More thunderstorms are predicted for Brisbane CBD and surrounding regions this afternoon and tonight.

Logan City Council has lifted a ban on drinking water put in place on Thursday after traces of the faecal bacteria E. coli was found in the water supply.

The ban, which applied to residents of Cedar Vale, Woodhill, Veresdale and Veresdale Scrub, was lifted at 12pm yesterday.

Council has not said how the bacteria got into the water supply in Logan, but spent two days testing pipes in the area before giving the all clear today.