Morning Mail: Bashar al-Assad flees Syria, CSIRO refutes Coalition’s nuclear costing claim, gambling ads on Snapchat filters

Syrian opposition fighters celebrate in Damascus, Syria, after the collapse of the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Photograph: Omar Sanadiki/AP

Good morning. We lead today with reports that Bashar al-Assad has fled Syria with his family and was granted asylum in Moscow, after rebel factions seized control of the capital, Damascus. Many are rejoicing at the stunning downfall of the Assad regime – but questions remain as to how the country’s next chapter will be shaped.

Back in Australia, the CSIRO has refuted Peter Dutton’s claims that the long operating life of nuclear power plants makes them a cheaper option than renewables.