/* ===== TheUFOTimes — NYT Newspaper Style ===== */

:root {
  --bg:           #ffffff;
  --bg-light:     #f7f7f7;
  --bg-mid:       #eeeeee;
  --text:         #121212;
  --text-muted:   #666666;
  --text-light:   #999999;
  --accent:       #cc0000;  /* NYT red */
  --accent-dark:  #990000;
  --border:       #dddddd;
  --border-dark:  #111111;
  --card-bg:      #ffffff;
  --white:        #ffffff;
  --gold:         #8B6914;
  --font-serif:   Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;
  --font-sans:    'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;
}

*, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }
html { scroll-behavior: smooth; }

body {
  background: var(--bg);
  color: var(--text);
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
  line-height: 1.7;
}

/* ===== HEADER ===== */
.site-header {
  position: relative;
  background: var(--bg);
  border-bottom: 4px solid var(--border-dark);
  padding: 2rem 1.5rem 1.5rem;
  text-align: center;
  overflow: hidden;
}

/* Hide the old star/beam decorations */
.site-header .stars,
.site-header .ufo-beam { display: none; }

.site-logo {
  width: 110px;
  height: 110px;
  margin: 0 auto 0.8rem;
  display: block;
}

.site-title {
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
  font-size: clamp(2rem, 5vw, 3.6rem);
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.02em;
  color: var(--text);
  text-shadow: none;
  position: relative;
  z-index: 1;
  text-align: center;
  line-height: 1.1;
}

.site-tagline {
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
  font-size: 1rem;
  color: var(--text-muted);
  font-style: italic;
  letter-spacing: 0.04em;
  text-transform: none;
  margin-top: 0.35rem;
  position: relative;
  z-index: 1;
}

/* Header date/edition bar — NYT style */
.header-bar {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
  margin-top: 1rem;
  padding: 0.4rem 0;
  font-size: 0.72rem;
  color: var(--text-muted);
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
  letter-spacing: 0.04em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

/* ===== NAVIGATION ===== */
.site-nav {
  background: var(--bg);
  border-bottom: 2px solid var(--border-dark);
  position: sticky;
  top: 0;
  z-index: 100;
}

.nav-toggle {
  display: none;
  background: none;
  border: none;
  cursor: pointer;
  padding: 0.9rem 1.5rem;
  color: var(--text);
  font-size: 1.3rem;
  line-height: 1;
  width: 100%;
  text-align: right;
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
}

.site-nav ul {
  list-style: none;
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 0;
  max-width: 1100px;
  margin: 0 auto;
}

.site-nav ul li a {
  display: block;
  padding: 0.75rem 1.1rem;
  color: var(--text);
  text-decoration: none;
  font-size: 0.78rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  font-weight: 600;
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
  border-bottom: 3px solid transparent;
  transition: color 0.15s, border-color 0.15s;
}

.site-nav ul li a:hover,
.site-nav ul li a.active {
  color: var(--accent);
  border-bottom-color: var(--accent);
}

/* ===== LAYOUT ===== */
.container {
  max-width: 1100px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 0 1.5rem;
}

/* ===== SECTION LABEL (red rule style) ===== */
.section-label {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 1rem;
  margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
  border-bottom: 3px solid var(--accent);
  padding-bottom: 0.4rem;
}

.section-label h2 {
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
  font-size: 1.1rem;
  color: var(--accent);
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  font-weight: 700;
}

/* Remove the ::after line since we use border-bottom now */
.section-label::after { display: none; }

/* ===== HERO GRID (homepage) ===== */
.hero-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
  gap: 0;
  border: 1px solid var(--border-dark);
  margin: 2rem 0;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.hero-card {
  background: var(--bg);
  padding: 2rem 1.5rem;
  text-align: center;
  text-decoration: none;
  color: var(--text);
  transition: background 0.2s;
  border: 1px solid var(--border);
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0.4rem;
}

.hero-card:hover { background: var(--bg-light); }

.hero-card h3 {
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.04em;
  color: var(--text);
}

.hero-card p {
  font-style: italic;
  font-size: 0.82rem;
  color: var(--text-muted);
}

.hero-card .card-icon { font-size: 1.8rem; margin-bottom: 0.2rem; }

/* ===== FEATURED SECTION ===== */
.featured-section {
  background: var(--bg-light);
  border: 1px solid var(--border);
  border-top: 3px solid var(--border-dark);
  padding: 2rem;
  margin: 2rem 0;
  text-align: center;
}

.featured-section h2 {
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
  font-size: 1.8rem;
  color: var(--text);
  margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
}

.featured-section p {
  color: var(--text-muted);
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  max-width: 600px;
  margin: 0 auto 1.5rem;
}

/* ===== ARTICLE CARDS ===== */
.cards-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(270px, 1fr));
  gap: 1.5rem;
  margin: 1.5rem 0;
}

.article-card {
  background: var(--card-bg);
  border: 1px solid var(--border);
  overflow: hidden;
  transition: border-color 0.2s, box-shadow 0.2s;
  text-decoration: none;
  color: var(--text);
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
}

.article-card:hover {
  border-color: var(--accent);
  box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);
}

.article-card img {
  width: 100%;
  height: 180px;
  object-fit: cover;
  display: block;
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
}

.article-card .card-body {
  padding: 1rem;
  flex: 1;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
}

.article-card .card-tag {
  font-size: 0.65rem;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.15em;
  color: var(--accent);
  font-weight: 700;
  margin-bottom: 0.4rem;
}

.article-card h3 {
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
  font-size: 1rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: var(--text);
  margin-bottom: 0.4rem;
  line-height: 1.35;
}

.article-card p {
  font-size: 0.84rem;
  color: var(--text-muted);
  flex: 1;
}

/* ===== PAGE HERO ===== */
.page-hero {
  padding: 2.5rem 0 1.8rem;
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
  margin-bottom: 2rem;
}

.page-hero .page-tag {
  font-size: 0.7rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.2em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--accent);
  font-weight: 700;
  margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0.5rem;
}
.page-hero .page-tag::before {
  content: '';
  display: inline-block;
  width: 24px;
  height: 2px;
  background: var(--accent);
}

.page-hero h1 {
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
  font-size: clamp(1.8rem, 4vw, 2.8rem);
  color: var(--text);
  line-height: 1.2;
  margin-bottom: 0.8rem;
  font-weight: 700;
}

.page-hero .page-subtitle {
  color: var(--text-muted);
  font-size: 1rem;
  max-width: 700px;
  font-style: italic;
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
}

/* ===== CONTENT BODY ===== */
.content-body { max-width: 780px; }

.content-body h2 {
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
  font-size: 1.5rem;
  color: var(--text);
  margin: 2.5rem 0 0.7rem;
  padding-bottom: 0.4rem;
  border-bottom: 2px solid var(--accent);
}

.content-body h3 {
  font-size: 1.1rem;
  color: var(--text);
  margin: 1.5rem 0 0.4rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
}

.content-body p {
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
  color: var(--text);
  font-size: 0.97rem;
}

.content-body a { color: var(--accent); }
.content-body a:hover { color: var(--accent-dark); }

.content-body blockquote {
  border-left: 4px solid var(--accent);
  padding: 0.8rem 1.2rem;
  margin: 1.5rem 0;
  background: var(--bg-light);
  color: var(--text-muted);
  font-style: italic;
  font-size: 1rem;
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
}

.content-body ul, .content-body ol {
  margin: 1rem 0 1rem 1.5rem;
}
.content-body li {
  margin-bottom: 0.4rem;
  color: var(--text);
  font-size: 0.97rem;
}

/* ===== DECLASSIFIED BADGE ===== */
.declassified-badge {
  display: inline-block;
  background: rgba(204,0,0,0.08);
  color: var(--accent);
  border: 1px solid var(--accent);
  font-size: 0.68rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.18em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  padding: 0.2rem 0.65rem;
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
  font-weight: 700;
}

/* ===== IMAGE GALLERY ===== */
.image-gallery {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(260px, 1fr));
  gap: 1rem;
  margin: 2rem 0;
}

.image-gallery figure {
  margin: 0;
  background: var(--bg-light);
  border: 1px solid var(--border);
  overflow: hidden;
}

.image-gallery figure img {
  width: 100%;
  height: 220px;
  object-fit: cover;
  display: block;
}

.image-gallery figure figcaption {
  padding: 0.6rem 0.8rem;
  font-size: 0.76rem;
  color: var(--text-muted);
  font-style: italic;
  border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
}

/* ===== DOC LINK BUTTON ===== */
.doc-link {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0.5rem;
  background: var(--bg);
  border: 1.5px solid var(--border-dark);
  color: var(--text);
  padding: 0.55rem 1.1rem;
  font-size: 0.82rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  text-decoration: none;
  transition: background 0.15s, color 0.15s;
  margin: 0.4rem 0.4rem 0.4rem 0;
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}
.doc-link:hover {
  background: var(--border-dark);
  color: var(--white);
}

/* ===== NEWSLETTER BAR ===== */
.newsletter-bar {
  background: var(--bg-light);
  border-top: 3px solid var(--border-dark);
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
  padding: 2rem 1.5rem;
  margin: 3rem 0 0;
}

.newsletter-bar .inner {
  max-width: 1100px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  gap: 2rem;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
}

.newsletter-bar h3 {
  font-weight: 700;
  color: var(--text);
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
  font-size: 1.1rem;
}

.newsletter-bar p {
  font-size: 0.85rem;
  color: var(--text-muted);
}

.newsletter-bar form { display: flex; gap: 0; }

.newsletter-bar input[type="email"] {
  padding: 0.6rem 1rem;
  background: var(--bg);
  border: 1.5px solid var(--border-dark);
  border-right: none;
  color: var(--text);
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  width: 240px;
  outline: none;
}

.newsletter-bar button {
  padding: 0.6rem 1.3rem;
  background: var(--accent);
  border: 1.5px solid var(--accent);
  color: var(--white);
  font-size: 0.82rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  cursor: pointer;
  transition: background 0.15s;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
}
.newsletter-bar button:hover { background: var(--accent-dark); border-color: var(--accent-dark); }

/* ===== FOOTER ===== */
.site-footer {
  background: var(--bg);
  border-top: 3px solid var(--border-dark);
  padding: 2rem 1.5rem;
  text-align: center;
}

.site-footer .footer-title {
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
  font-size: 1.3rem;
  color: var(--text);
  margin-bottom: 0.3rem;
  font-weight: 700;
}

.site-footer .footer-tagline {
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  color: var(--text-muted);
  font-style: italic;
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
}

.site-footer nav a {
  color: var(--text-muted);
  text-decoration: none;
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  margin: 0 0.7rem;
  transition: color 0.15s;
}
.site-footer nav a:hover { color: var(--accent); }

.site-footer .copyright {
  margin-top: 1rem;
  font-size: 0.72rem;
  color: var(--text-light);
}

/* ===== BOOK CARDS ===== */
.book-card { background: var(--card-bg); border: 1px solid var(--border); }
.book-card:hover { border-color: var(--accent); }
.book-card .book-author { color: var(--accent); }
.book-card h3 { color: var(--text); }
.book-card p { color: var(--text-muted); }
.book-card a { color: var(--accent); }

/* ===== AFFILIATE NOTE ===== */
.affiliate-note {
  background: var(--bg-light);
  border: 1px solid var(--border);
  padding: 0.9rem 1.2rem;
  font-size: 0.83rem;
  color: var(--text-muted);
  margin-bottom: 2rem;
}
.affiliate-note span { color: var(--text); font-weight: 700; }

/* ===== PRODUCT CARDS (merchandise) ===== */
.merch-grid { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 2.5rem; margin: 1rem 0 2rem; }
.merch-category-label {
  font-size: 0.72rem; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.15em;
  color: var(--accent); font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 1rem;
  border-bottom: 2px solid var(--accent); padding-bottom: 0.3rem;
}
.merch-items {
  display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(200px, 1fr)); gap: 1rem;
}
.merch-card {
  background: var(--card-bg); border: 1px solid var(--border);
  overflow: hidden; transition: border-color 0.2s, box-shadow 0.2s;
  display: flex; flex-direction: column;
}
.merch-card:hover { border-color: var(--accent); box-shadow: 0 2px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.06); }
.merch-card img {
  width: 100%; height: 180px; object-fit: contain;
  background: var(--bg-light); display: block; padding: 0.5rem;
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
}
.merch-card .merch-icon { font-size: 2rem; text-align:center; padding: 1rem 0 0.3rem; }
.merch-card .merch-info { padding: 0.8rem; flex: 1; display: flex; flex-direction: column; }
.merch-card h4 { font-size: 0.85rem; color: var(--text); margin-bottom: 0.3rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.3; }
.merch-card p { font-size: 0.78rem; color: var(--text-muted); margin-bottom: 0.7rem; flex: 1; }
.merch-card a.merch-link {
  display: block; text-align: center; background: var(--accent);
  color: var(--white); padding: 0.45rem 0.8rem; font-size: 0.76rem;
  font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; letter-spacing: 0.06em;
  text-transform: uppercase; transition: background 0.15s;
}
.merch-card a.merch-link:hover { background: var(--accent-dark); }

/* ===== DONATE BUTTON ===== */
.nav-donate {
  display: inline-block;
  background: var(--accent);
  color: var(--white) !important;
  padding: 0.4rem 1rem !important;
  border-bottom: none !important;
  border-radius: 2px;
  font-weight: 700 !important;
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  transition: background 0.15s !important;
  margin: 0.4rem 0.5rem;
}
.nav-donate:hover { background: var(--accent-dark) !important; color: var(--white) !important; border-bottom-color: transparent !important; }

/* ===== EXPERT PROFILE CARDS ===== */
.experts-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(300px, 1fr));
  gap: 2rem;
  margin: 2rem 0;
}
.expert-card {
  background: var(--card-bg);
  border: 1px solid var(--border);
  border-top: 3px solid var(--accent);
  padding: 1.8rem;
  transition: box-shadow 0.2s;
}
.expert-card:hover { box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08); }
.expert-photo {
  width: 90px; height: 90px; border-radius: 50%;
  background: var(--bg-mid); border: 2px solid var(--border-dark);
  display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
  font-family: var(--font-serif); font-size: 1.8rem; font-weight: 700;
  color: var(--text); margin: 0 auto 1rem; overflow: hidden;
  flex-shrink: 0;
}
.expert-photo img { width: 100%; height: 100%; object-fit: cover; border-radius: 50%; }
.expert-name {
  font-family: var(--font-serif); font-size: 1.15rem; font-weight: 700;
  color: var(--text); text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.2rem;
}
.expert-title {
  font-size: 0.72rem; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  color: var(--accent); font-weight: 700; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1rem;
}
.expert-card p { font-size: 0.9rem; color: var(--text); margin-bottom: 0.8rem; }
.expert-store-link {
  display: inline-block; font-size: 0.78rem; color: var(--accent);
  text-decoration: none; font-weight: 700; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--accent);
  padding-bottom: 1px; transition: color 0.15s;
}
.expert-store-link:hover { color: var(--accent-dark); }

/* ===== ARTICLE TEASERS (category pages) ===== */
.article-teasers { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 0; margin: 1.5rem 0; }
.article-teaser {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 220px 1fr;
  gap: 0;
  border: 1px solid var(--border);
  border-bottom: none;
  background: var(--card-bg);
  transition: box-shadow 0.2s;
  overflow: hidden;
}
.article-teaser:last-child { border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); }
.article-teaser:hover { box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.07); z-index: 1; position: relative; }
.article-teaser img {
  width: 100%; height: 100%; min-height: 160px;
  object-fit: cover; display: block;
  border-right: 1px solid var(--border);
}
.teaser-body { padding: 1.2rem 1.5rem; display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: center; }
.teaser-tag {
  font-size: 0.65rem; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.15em;
  color: var(--accent); font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 0.3rem;
}
.teaser-body h3 {
  font-family: var(--font-serif); font-size: 1.15rem; font-weight: 700;
  color: var(--text); margin-bottom: 0.5rem; line-height: 1.3;
}
.teaser-body p { font-size: 0.9rem; color: var(--text); margin-bottom: 0.8rem; line-height: 1.6; }
.read-more {
  font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 700; color: var(--accent);
  text-decoration: none; letter-spacing: 0.05em;
  display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.3rem;
}
.read-more:hover { color: var(--accent-dark); }
@media (max-width: 640px) {
  .article-teaser { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .article-teaser img { height: 180px; border-right: none; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); }
  .experts-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
}

/* ===== UTILITY ===== */
.mt-3 { margin-top: 2.5rem; }
.mb-2 { margin-bottom: 2rem; }
.py-3 { padding-top: 2.5rem; padding-bottom: 2.5rem; }

/* ===== MOBILE NAV TOGGLE ===== */
@media (max-width: 900px) {
  .hero-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; }
  .cards-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; }
  .image-gallery { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; }
  .merch-items { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; }
}

@media (max-width: 640px) {
  .site-header { padding: 1.5rem 1rem 1.2rem; }
  .site-logo { width: 80px; height: 80px; }
  .site-title { font-size: clamp(1.7rem, 7vw, 2.4rem); }

  .nav-toggle { display: block; }
  .site-nav ul { display: none; flex-direction: column; width: 100%; }
  .site-nav ul.nav-open { display: flex; }
  .site-nav ul li { width: 100%; }
  .site-nav ul li a {
    padding: 0.8rem 1.5rem; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-left: none; text-align: left; font-size: 0.88rem;
  }
  .site-nav ul li a:hover, .site-nav ul li a.active {
    border-bottom-color: var(--border); border-bottom-width: 1px;
    border-left: 3px solid var(--accent); padding-left: calc(1.5rem - 3px); color: var(--accent);
  }

  .container { padding: 0 1rem; }
  .hero-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .hero-card { padding: 1.3rem 1rem; }
  .cards-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .image-gallery { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .merch-items { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; }
  .page-hero { padding: 1.8rem 0 1.2rem; }
  .page-hero h1 { font-size: clamp(1.5rem, 6vw, 2rem); }
  .content-body { max-width: 100%; }
  .newsletter-bar .inner { flex-direction: column; align-items: flex-start; gap: 1rem; }
  .newsletter-bar form { width: 100%; }
  .newsletter-bar input[type="email"] { width: calc(100% - 100px); }
  .article-card img { height: 150px; }
  .mt-3 { margin-top: 1.8rem; }
  .py-3 { padding-top: 1.8rem; padding-bottom: 1.8rem; }
}

/* ============================================================
   HOMEPAGE REDESIGN — WOW FACTOR
   ============================================================ */

/* ===== BREAKING NEWS TICKER ===== */
.ticker-wrap {
  background: var(--accent);
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  overflow: hidden;
  border-bottom: 2px solid var(--accent-dark);
  height: 36px;
}
.ticker-label {
  background: #111111;
  color: #ffffff;
  font-size: 0.6rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.18em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  font-weight: 700;
  padding: 0 0.9rem;
  white-space: nowrap;
  flex-shrink: 0;
  height: 100%;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
}
.ticker-outer {
  overflow: hidden;
  flex: 1;
}
.ticker-track {
  display: inline-flex;
  animation: ticker-scroll 55s linear infinite;
  white-space: nowrap;
}
.ticker-track span {
  color: #ffffff;
  font-size: 0.68rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.06em;
  font-weight: 600;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  padding: 0 2.5rem;
}
.ticker-track span::before {
  content: '◆';
  margin-right: 0.8rem;
  opacity: 0.55;
  font-size: 0.45rem;
  vertical-align: middle;
}
@keyframes ticker-scroll {
  from { transform: translateX(0); }
  to   { transform: translateX(-50%); }
}

/* ===== HERO FEATURE (top story) ===== */
.hero-feature {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 3fr 2fr;
  min-height: 400px;
  border: 1px solid var(--border-dark);
  margin: 2rem 0;
  overflow: hidden;
}
.hero-feature-img {
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
  background: #1c1c1c;
}
.hero-feature-img img {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  object-fit: cover;
  display: block;
  transition: transform 0.6s ease;
}
.hero-feature:hover .hero-feature-img img {
  transform: scale(1.04);
}
.hero-feature-body {
  background: #111111;
  padding: 2.5rem 2rem;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  justify-content: center;
}
.hero-feature-tag {
  font-size: 0.6rem;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.22em;
  color: var(--accent);
  font-weight: 700;
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0.6rem;
}
.hero-feature-tag::before {
  content: '';
  display: inline-block;
  width: 20px;
  height: 2px;
  background: var(--accent);
  flex-shrink: 0;
}
.hero-feature-body h2 {
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
  font-size: clamp(1.35rem, 2.2vw, 1.9rem);
  color: #ffffff;
  line-height: 1.25;
  font-weight: 700;
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
}
.hero-feature-body p {
  font-size: 0.87rem;
  color: #aaaaaa;
  line-height: 1.7;
  margin-bottom: 1.8rem;
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
  font-style: italic;
}
.hero-feature-cta {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0.4rem;
  background: var(--accent);
  color: #ffffff;
  text-decoration: none;
  padding: 0.55rem 1.2rem;
  font-size: 0.72rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  transition: background 0.15s;
  align-self: flex-start;
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
}
.hero-feature-cta:hover { background: var(--accent-dark); }

/* ===== SECTION RULE DIVIDER ===== */
.section-rule {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0.8rem;
  margin: 2.5rem 0 1.8rem;
}
.section-rule::before,
.section-rule::after {
  content: '';
  flex: 1;
  height: 1px;
  background: var(--border);
}
.section-rule span {
  font-size: 0.6rem;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.22em;
  color: var(--accent);
  font-weight: 700;
  white-space: nowrap;
}

/* ===== LEAD GRID (big story + sidebar) ===== */
.lead-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 2fr 1fr;
  border: 1px solid var(--border);
  margin: 0 0 2rem;
  overflow: hidden;
}
.lead-col {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  border-right: 1px solid var(--border);
}
.lead-story {
  text-decoration: none;
  color: var(--text);
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  transition: background 0.2s;
  flex: 1;
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
}
.lead-secondary {
  text-decoration: none;
  color: var(--text);
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  transition: background 0.2s;
  flex: 1;
}
.lead-secondary:hover { background: var(--bg-light); }
.lead-secondary img {
  width: 100%;
  height: 180px;
  object-fit: cover;
  object-position: center;
  display: block;
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
  transition: opacity 0.25s;
}
.lead-secondary:hover img { opacity: 0.9; }
.lead-story:hover { background: var(--bg-light); }
.lead-story img {
  width: 100%;
  height: 270px;
  object-fit: cover;
  object-position: top center;
  display: block;
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
  transition: opacity 0.25s;
}
.lead-story:hover img { opacity: 0.9; }
.lead-body {
  padding: 1.5rem 1.5rem 1.8rem;
  flex: 1;
}
.lead-tag {
  font-size: 0.6rem;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.2em;
  color: var(--accent);
  font-weight: 700;
  margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
}
.lead-story h2 {
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
  font-size: clamp(1.15rem, 2vw, 1.6rem);
  font-weight: 700;
  color: var(--text);
  line-height: 1.25;
  margin-bottom: 0.7rem;
}
.lead-story > .lead-body > p {
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  color: var(--text-muted);
  line-height: 1.7;
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
}

/* ===== SIDEBAR STORIES ===== */
.sidebar-stories {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
}
.sidebar-story {
  text-decoration: none;
  color: var(--text);
  padding: 1.1rem 1.1rem 1rem;
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 0.35rem;
  transition: background 0.15s;
  flex: 1;
}
.sidebar-story:last-child { border-bottom: none; }
.sidebar-story:hover { background: var(--bg-light); }
.sidebar-story img {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100px;
  object-fit: cover;
  display: block;
  border: 1px solid var(--border);
  margin-bottom: 0.3rem;
  transition: opacity 0.2s;
}
.sidebar-story:hover img { opacity: 0.88; }
.s-tag {
  font-size: 0.58rem;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.18em;
  color: var(--accent);
  font-weight: 700;
}
.sidebar-story h3 {
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: var(--text);
  line-height: 1.3;
}
.sidebar-story p {
  font-size: 0.76rem;
  color: var(--text-muted);
  line-height: 1.55;
}

/* ===== DARK BAND PULL QUOTE ===== */
.dark-band {
  background: #111111;
  padding: 3.5rem 2rem;
  margin: 2.5rem 0;
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
}
.dark-band::before {
  content: '\201C';
  position: absolute;
  top: -1.5rem;
  left: 1.5rem;
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
  font-size: 14rem;
  color: rgba(204, 0, 0, 0.09);
  line-height: 1;
  pointer-events: none;
  user-select: none;
}
.dark-band blockquote {
  max-width: 760px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  border-left: 4px solid var(--accent);
  padding-left: 1.8rem;
  position: relative;
  z-index: 1;
}
.dark-band blockquote p {
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
  font-size: clamp(1rem, 1.8vw, 1.4rem);
  color: #f0f0f0;
  line-height: 1.6;
  font-style: italic;
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
}
.dark-band blockquote cite {
  font-size: 0.68rem;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.16em;
  color: var(--accent);
  font-weight: 700;
  font-style: normal;
}

/* ===== IMPROVED HOVER — HERO CARDS ===== */
.hero-card {
  transition: background 0.2s, box-shadow 0.2s;
}
.hero-card:hover {
  background: var(--bg-light);
  box-shadow: inset 0 3px 0 var(--accent);
}
.hero-card .card-icon {
  transition: transform 0.22s;
}
.hero-card:hover .card-icon {
  transform: scale(1.14);
}

/* ===== IMPROVED HOVER — ARTICLE CARDS ===== */
.article-card {
  transition: transform 0.2s, border-color 0.2s, box-shadow 0.2s;
}
.article-card:hover {
  transform: translateY(-4px);
  border-color: var(--accent);
  box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
}
.article-card img {
  transition: opacity 0.2s;
}
.article-card:hover img { opacity: 0.9; }

/* ===== MOBILE — NEW SECTIONS ===== */
@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .hero-feature {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
    min-height: auto;
  }
  .hero-feature-img {
    height: 230px;
  }
  .hero-feature-body {
    padding: 1.8rem 1.4rem;
  }
  .lead-grid {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
  }
  .lead-story {
    border-right: none;
    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
  }
  .lead-story img { height: 200px; }
  .sidebar-story img { height: 130px; }
  .dark-band { padding: 2.2rem 1.4rem; }
  .dark-band::before { font-size: 8rem; }
}

@media (max-width: 480px) {
  .ticker-wrap { height: 30px; }
  .ticker-label { font-size: 0.55rem; padding: 0 0.6rem; }
  .ticker-track span { font-size: 0.62rem; padding: 0 1.5rem; }
}