/* ============================================================
       NEWS — pre-launch topic preview + subscribe
       Honest empty-state: no fabricated articles. Shows what the
       column will cover and lets readers subscribe to the first issue.
       ============================================================ */
    .news-intro {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: 1fr;
      gap: var(--space-7);
      align-items: start;
      margin-bottom: var(--space-8);
    }
    @media (min-width: 1024px) {
      .news-intro { grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1.1fr) minmax(0, 1fr); gap: var(--space-9); }
    }
    .news-intro__body p {
      font-size: var(--text-lg);
      line-height: var(--leading-body);
      color: var(--color-text);
      margin-bottom: var(--space-5);
      max-width: 56ch;
    }
    .news-intro__cadence {
      padding: var(--space-5);
      background: var(--color-surface-sunken);
      border-left: 3px solid var(--color-brand-orange);
      border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
      font-family: var(--font-mono);
      font-size: var(--text-sm);
      line-height: 1.55;
      color: var(--color-text);
      letter-spacing: -0.005em;
      max-width: 48ch;
    }
    .news-intro__cadence strong {
      display: block;
      font-family: var(--font-sans);
      font-size: var(--text-xs);
      font-weight: var(--weight-semibold);
      letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide);
      text-transform: uppercase;
      color: var(--color-text-muted);
      margin-bottom: var(--space-3);
    }

    /* News archive — press release cards */
    .news-grid {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: 1fr;
      gap: var(--space-5);
      margin-top: var(--space-7);
    }
    @media (min-width: 700px) { .news-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; } }
    @media (min-width: 1024px) { .news-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); } }
    .news-card {
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      gap: var(--space-3);
      padding: var(--space-6);
      background: var(--color-surface-elevated);
      border: var(--border-thin);
      border-radius: var(--radius-md);
      border-top: 3px solid var(--color-brand-orange);
      text-decoration: none;
      color: inherit;
      transition: transform var(--duration-base) var(--ease-out), box-shadow var(--duration-base) var(--ease-out);
      overflow: hidden;
    }
    .news-card:hover {
      transform: translateY(-2px);
      box-shadow: var(--shadow-md);
    }
    /* Hero image — JS-injected at top of card, breaks out of padding */
    .news-card__image {
      display: block;
      width: calc(100% + (var(--space-6) * 2));
      margin: calc(-1 * var(--space-6)) calc(-1 * var(--space-6)) var(--space-2);
      aspect-ratio: 16 / 9;
      object-fit: cover;
      background: var(--color-surface-sunken);
    }
    .news-card__meta {
      display: flex;
      flex-wrap: wrap;
      gap: var(--space-3);
      align-items: center;
      font-family: var(--font-mono);
      font-size: var(--text-xs);
      letter-spacing: -0.005em;
      color: var(--color-text-muted);
    }
    .news-card__date {
      color: var(--color-text);
      font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
    }
    .news-card__loc {
      font-family: var(--font-sans);
      font-size: var(--text-xs);
      font-weight: var(--weight-semibold);
      letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide);
      text-transform: uppercase;
      color: var(--color-brand-orange-deep);
    }
    .news-card__title {
      font-family: var(--font-serif);
      font-size: var(--text-xl);
      font-weight: var(--weight-semibold);
      color: var(--color-ink);
      letter-spacing: -0.01em;
      line-height: 1.25;
      text-wrap: balance;
    }
    .news-card__excerpt {
      font-size: var(--text-base);
      color: var(--color-text-muted);
      line-height: 1.55;
      flex: 1;
    }
    .news-card__more {
      display: inline-flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: var(--space-2);
      font-family: var(--font-sans);
      font-size: var(--text-sm);
      font-weight: var(--weight-semibold);
      color: var(--color-brand-navy);
      margin-top: var(--space-2);
    }
    .news-card:hover .news-card__more { color: var(--color-brand-orange-deep); }
    .news-archive-note {
      margin-top: var(--space-8);
      padding: var(--space-5);
      background: var(--color-surface-sunken);
      border-left: 3px solid var(--color-brand-navy);
      border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
      font-size: var(--text-sm);
      color: var(--color-text);
      line-height: 1.55;
      max-width: 64ch;
    }
    .news-archive-note a { color: var(--color-brand-orange-deep); font-weight: var(--weight-semibold); }

    /* ============================================================
       LOAD MORE — older acquisitions stay collapsed until requested.
       Keeps one canonical URL (good for the ItemList schema) while
       trimming initial load. Cards past the cap get .is-collapsed;
       revealing simply removes the class so tweak rules still apply.
       ============================================================ */
    .news-card.is-collapsed { display: none; }
    .news-loadmore {
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      gap: var(--space-3);
      margin-top: var(--space-7);
    }
    .news-loadmore[hidden] { display: none; }
    .news-loadmore__btn {
      display: inline-flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: var(--space-3);
      padding: var(--space-3) var(--space-6);
      background: var(--color-surface-elevated);
      border: var(--border-thin);
      border-radius: var(--radius-pill);
      font-family: var(--font-sans);
      font-size: var(--text-sm);
      font-weight: var(--weight-semibold);
      letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide);
      text-transform: uppercase;
      color: var(--color-brand-navy);
      cursor: pointer;
      transition: border-color var(--duration-base) var(--ease-out),
                  color var(--duration-base) var(--ease-out),
                  transform var(--duration-base) var(--ease-out);
    }
    .news-loadmore__btn:hover {
      border-color: var(--color-brand-orange);
      color: var(--color-brand-orange-deep);
      transform: translateY(-1px);
    }
    .news-loadmore__btn svg { stroke: currentColor; }
    .news-loadmore__count {
      font-family: var(--font-mono);
      font-size: var(--text-xs);
      letter-spacing: -0.005em;
      color: var(--color-text-muted);
      font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
    }
    body[data-surface="ink"] .news-loadmore__btn {
      background: #1a1c20;
      border-color: #2a2d33;
      color: #f0b070;
    }
    body[data-surface="ink"] .news-loadmore__btn:hover { color: #ffc890; border-color: #f0b070; }

    /* ============================================================
       VOICES BEHIND THE DEALS — three quoted partners + counts
       Sits between the intro and the Recent Acquisitions grid.
       ============================================================ */
    .voices {
      margin: var(--space-9) 0 var(--space-7);
      padding-top: var(--space-7);
      border-top: var(--border-thin);
    }
    .voices__head {
      display: flex;
      flex-wrap: wrap;
      align-items: baseline;
      justify-content: space-between;
      gap: var(--space-4) var(--space-6);
      margin-bottom: var(--space-6);
    }
    .voices__title {
      font-family: var(--font-serif);
      font-size: clamp(1.6rem, 2.6vw, var(--text-2xl));
      color: var(--color-ink);
      margin: 0;
      max-width: 28ch;
      letter-spacing: var(--tracking-tight);
    }
    .voices__lead {
      font-family: var(--font-sans);
      font-size: var(--text-sm);
      color: var(--color-text-muted);
      max-width: 38ch;
      margin: 0;
      line-height: var(--leading-body);
    }
    .voices__grid {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: 1fr;
      gap: var(--space-5);
    }
    @media (min-width: 760px) { .voices__grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); } }

    .voice {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: 88px 1fr;
      gap: var(--space-4);
      align-items: start;
      padding: var(--space-5);
      background: var(--color-surface);
      border: var(--border-thin);
      border-radius: var(--radius-md);
      text-decoration: none;
      color: inherit;
      transition: transform var(--duration-base) var(--ease-out),
                  border-color var(--duration-base) var(--ease-out),
                  box-shadow var(--duration-base) var(--ease-out);
    }
    .voice:hover {
      transform: translateY(-2px);
      border-color: var(--color-brand-orange);
      box-shadow: var(--shadow-sm);
      color: inherit;
    }
    .voice__photo {
      width: 88px;
      height: 88px;
      border-radius: 50%;
      object-fit: cover;
      object-position: center top;
      background: var(--color-surface-sunken);
      filter: saturate(0.92);
      transition: filter var(--duration-base) var(--ease-out);
    }
    .voice:hover .voice__photo { filter: saturate(1); }
    .voice__body { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 4px; min-width: 0; }
    .voice__name {
      font-family: var(--font-serif);
      font-size: var(--text-lg);
      font-weight: var(--weight-semibold);
      color: var(--color-ink);
      line-height: 1.15;
    }
    .voice__title {
      font-family: var(--font-sans);
      font-size: var(--text-xs);
      color: var(--color-text-muted);
      letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide);
      text-transform: uppercase;
    }
    .voice__count {
      display: inline-flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 6px;
      font-family: var(--font-mono);
      font-size: var(--text-xs);
      color: var(--color-brand-orange-deep);
      margin-top: 6px;
    }
    .voice__count::before {
      content: "";
      display: inline-block;
      width: 5px; height: 5px;
      border-radius: 50%;
      background: var(--color-brand-orange);
    }
    .voice__quote {
      font-family: var(--font-serif);
      font-style: italic;
      font-size: var(--text-sm);
      color: var(--color-text);
      line-height: 1.5;
      margin: var(--space-3) 0 0;
      grid-column: 1 / -1;
      border-left: 2px solid var(--color-brand-orange);
      padding-left: var(--space-3);
      text-wrap: pretty;
    }
    @media (max-width: 480px) {
      .voice { grid-template-columns: 64px 1fr; }
      .voice__photo { width: 64px; height: 64px; }
    }

    /* ============================================================
       OPERATING PARTNERSHIPS — operators we've acquired royalties under
       Visual ribbon of operator names; placed below the news grid.
       ============================================================ */
    .partnerships {
      margin: var(--space-9) 0 0;
      padding: var(--space-7);
      background: var(--color-surface-sunken);
      border-radius: var(--radius-md);
      border-left: 3px solid var(--color-brand-orange);
    }
    .partnerships__head {
      font-family: var(--font-mono);
      font-size: var(--text-xs);
      letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide);
      text-transform: uppercase;
      color: var(--color-text-muted);
      margin-bottom: var(--space-4);
    }
    .partnerships__title {
      font-family: var(--font-serif);
      font-size: clamp(1.4rem, 2.4vw, var(--text-xl));
      color: var(--color-ink);
      margin: 0 0 var(--space-5);
      max-width: 44ch;
      letter-spacing: var(--tracking-tight);
    }
    .partnerships__list {
      display: flex;
      flex-wrap: wrap;
      gap: var(--space-2) var(--space-3);
      list-style: none;
      margin: 0;
      padding: 0;
    }
    .partnerships__chip {
      display: inline-flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 6px;
      padding: 6px var(--space-3);
      border: var(--border-thin);
      border-radius: var(--radius-pill);
      background: var(--color-surface);
      font-family: var(--font-sans);
      font-size: var(--text-xs);
      color: var(--color-ink);
      letter-spacing: -0.005em;
    }
    .partnerships__chip-count {
      font-family: var(--font-mono);
      color: var(--color-text-muted);
      font-size: 0.9em;
    }
    /* Dim partnership UI in dense layouts so it doesn't crowd the list. */
    body[data-layout="list"] .partnerships,
    body[data-layout="timeline"] .partnerships,
    body[data-surface="hairline"] .partnerships { display: none; }
    body[data-layout="list"] .voices,
    body[data-layout="timeline"] .voices,
    body[data-surface="hairline"] .voices { display: none; }
    body[data-surface="ink"] .voice { background: #1a1c20; border-color: #2a2d33; }
    body[data-surface="ink"] .voice__name { color: #faf7f1; }
    body[data-surface="ink"] .voice__title { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.55); }
    body[data-surface="ink"] .voice__quote { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75); }
    body[data-surface="ink"] .partnerships { background: #131418; border-left-color: #f0b070; }
    body[data-surface="ink"] .partnerships__title { color: #faf7f1; }
    body[data-surface="ink"] .partnerships__chip { background: #1a1c20; border-color: #2a2d33; color: #d8d4ce; }

    /* Insights — educational article series. Visually distinct
       from acquisition cards so the two streams don't compete. */
    .insights-grid {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: 1fr;
      gap: var(--space-5);
      margin-top: var(--space-7);
    }
    @media (min-width: 700px) { .insights-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; } }
    @media (min-width: 1024px) { .insights-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); } }
    .insight-card {
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      gap: var(--space-3);
      padding: var(--space-6);
      background: var(--color-surface-sunken);
      border: var(--border-thin);
      border-radius: var(--radius-md);
      text-decoration: none;
      color: inherit;
      position: relative;
      overflow: hidden;
      transition: transform var(--duration-base) var(--ease-out), box-shadow var(--duration-base) var(--ease-out), border-color var(--duration-base) var(--ease-out);
    }
    .insight-card:hover {
      transform: translateY(-2px);
      box-shadow: var(--shadow-md);
      border-color: var(--color-brand-navy);
    }
    .insight-card__image {
      display: block;
      width: calc(100% + (var(--space-6) * 2));
      margin: calc(-1 * var(--space-6)) calc(-1 * var(--space-6)) var(--space-2);
      aspect-ratio: 16 / 9;
      object-fit: cover;
      background: var(--color-surface);
    }
    .insight-card__num {
      font-family: var(--font-mono);
      font-size: var(--text-xs);
      letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide);
      text-transform: uppercase;
      color: var(--color-brand-navy);
      font-weight: var(--weight-semibold);
    }
    .insight-card__title {
      font-family: var(--font-serif);
      font-size: var(--text-xl);
      font-weight: var(--weight-semibold);
      color: var(--color-ink);
      letter-spacing: -0.01em;
      line-height: 1.25;
      text-wrap: balance;
    }
    .insight-card__excerpt {
      font-size: var(--text-base);
      color: var(--color-text-muted);
      line-height: 1.55;
      flex: 1;
    }
    .insight-card__more {
      display: inline-flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: var(--space-2);
      font-family: var(--font-sans);
      font-size: var(--text-sm);
      font-weight: var(--weight-semibold);
      color: var(--color-brand-navy);
      margin-top: var(--space-2);
    }
    .insight-card:hover .insight-card__more { color: var(--color-brand-orange-deep); }

    /* ============================================================
       TWEAKS — three expressive dimensions that reshape the feel.
         data-layout : cards | list | timeline
         data-voice  : newsroom | wire | editorial
         data-surface: elevated | hairline | ink
       Defaults match the unmounted state so the page reads the same
       before React boots. Each tweak is a single class-level switch.
       ============================================================ */

    /* ---- LAYOUT ---- */
    /* List — dense horizontal rows, no card chrome, date as left rail. */
    body[data-layout="list"] .news-grid {
      grid-template-columns: 1fr;
      gap: 0;
      border-top: var(--border-thin);
    }
    body[data-layout="list"] .news-card {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: 9rem 1fr auto;
      align-items: baseline;
      column-gap: var(--space-7);
      row-gap: var(--space-2);
      padding: var(--space-6) var(--space-3);
      background: transparent;
      border: 0;
      border-bottom: var(--border-thin);
      border-radius: 0;
      border-top: 0;
    }
    body[data-layout="list"] .news-card:hover {
      transform: none;
      box-shadow: none;
      background: var(--color-surface-sunken);
    }
    body[data-layout="list"] .news-card__meta {
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: flex-start;
      gap: var(--space-1);
      grid-row: 1 / span 3;
    }
    body[data-layout="list"] .news-card__date {
      font-family: var(--font-mono);
      font-size: var(--text-sm);
      color: var(--color-ink);
    }
    body[data-layout="list"] .news-card__excerpt {
      grid-column: 2;
      max-width: 80ch;
    }
    body[data-layout="list"] .news-card__more {
      grid-column: 3;
      grid-row: 1 / span 3;
      align-self: center;
      margin-top: 0;
      white-space: nowrap;
    }
    @media (max-width: 720px) {
      body[data-layout="list"] .news-card {
        grid-template-columns: 1fr;
      }
      body[data-layout="list"] .news-card__meta,
      body[data-layout="list"] .news-card__excerpt,
      body[data-layout="list"] .news-card__more {
        grid-column: 1;
        grid-row: auto;
      }
    }

    /* Timeline — vertical rail with date markers; cards offset to the right. */
    body[data-layout="timeline"] .news-grid {
      grid-template-columns: 1fr;
      gap: var(--space-6);
      position: relative;
      padding-left: 4.5rem;
      max-width: 880px;
    }
    body[data-layout="timeline"] .news-grid::before {
      content: "";
      position: absolute;
      left: 4rem;
      top: 0.5rem;
      bottom: 0.5rem;
      width: 1px;
      background: linear-gradient(
        to bottom,
        transparent 0%,
        var(--color-hairline) 8%,
        var(--color-hairline) 92%,
        transparent 100%
      );
    }
    body[data-layout="timeline"] .news-card {
      position: relative;
      border-top: 0;
      border-left: 3px solid var(--color-brand-orange);
    }
    body[data-layout="timeline"] .news-card::before {
      content: "";
      position: absolute;
      left: calc(-1 * (4.5rem - 4rem + 4.5px));
      top: var(--space-6);
      width: 9px;
      height: 9px;
      border-radius: 50%;
      background: var(--color-brand-orange);
      box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px var(--color-surface);
    }
    body[data-layout="timeline"] .news-card::after {
      content: attr(data-year);
      position: absolute;
      left: calc(-1 * 4.5rem);
      top: var(--space-6);
      transform: translateY(-2px);
      width: 2.5rem;
      text-align: right;
      font-family: var(--font-mono);
      font-size: var(--text-xs);
      font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
      letter-spacing: -0.005em;
      color: var(--color-text-muted);
    }

    /* ---- VOICE ---- */
    /* Wire — monospace, uppercase, telegram-feed energy. */
    body[data-voice="wire"] .news-card__title {
      font-family: var(--font-mono);
      font-size: var(--text-sm);
      font-weight: var(--weight-semibold);
      text-transform: uppercase;
      letter-spacing: 0.02em;
      line-height: 1.45;
      color: var(--color-ink);
      text-wrap: balance;
    }
    body[data-voice="wire"] .news-card__date::before {
      content: "— ";
      color: var(--color-brand-orange-deep);
    }
    body[data-voice="wire"] .news-card__loc {
      font-family: var(--font-mono);
      text-transform: lowercase;
      letter-spacing: 0;
    }

    /* Editorial — display serif, italic, generous scale. */
    body[data-voice="editorial"] .news-card__title {
      font-size: clamp(1.5rem, 2.4vw, 2rem);
      font-weight: var(--weight-medium);
      font-style: italic;
      letter-spacing: -0.025em;
      line-height: 1.15;
    }
    body[data-voice="editorial"] .news-card__excerpt {
      font-size: var(--text-lg);
      line-height: 1.6;
      max-width: 60ch;
    }

    /* ---- SURFACE ---- */
    /* Hairline — strip the card chrome; rely on rule lines. */
    body[data-surface="hairline"] .news-card {
      background: transparent;
      border: 0;
      border-top: 0;
      border-bottom: var(--border-thin);
      border-radius: 0;
      padding-left: 0;
      padding-right: 0;
    }
    body[data-surface="hairline"] .news-card:hover {
      transform: none;
      box-shadow: none;
      background: var(--color-surface-sunken);
    }
    body[data-surface="hairline"] .news-grid {
      gap: 0;
      border-top: var(--border-thin);
    }

    /* Ink — dark card; high-end financial publication feel. */
    body[data-surface="ink"] .news-card {
      background: #131418;
      border: 1px solid #1f2126;
      border-top: 3px solid var(--color-brand-orange);
      color: #d8d4ce;
    }
    body[data-surface="ink"] .news-card:hover {
      box-shadow: 0 18px 40px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.35);
      border-color: #2a2d33;
    }
    body[data-surface="ink"] .news-card__title { color: #faf7f1; }
    body[data-surface="ink"] .news-card__excerpt { color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.6); }
    body[data-surface="ink"] .news-card__date { color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.92); }
    body[data-surface="ink"] .news-card__meta { color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5); }
    body[data-surface="ink"] .news-card__loc { color: #f0b070; }
    body[data-surface="ink"] .news-card__more { color: #f0b070; }
    body[data-surface="ink"] .news-card:hover .news-card__more { color: #ffc890; }

    /* Hide hero images in dense list and timeline layouts where they
       would crowd the text-only design. Cards mode keeps them. */
    body[data-layout="list"] .news-card__image,
    body[data-layout="timeline"] .news-card__image,
    body[data-surface="hairline"] .news-card__image {
      display: none;
    }

    /* ============================================================
       NEWS HERO BANNER — image-led intro at the top of the page
       Full-bleed photo with a dark gradient overlay; H1 reads on top.
       ============================================================ */
    .news-page-hero {
      position: relative;
      overflow: hidden;
      isolation: isolate;
      min-height: clamp(360px, 42vw, 540px);
      display: flex;
      align-items: flex-end;
      padding: 0;
      background: var(--color-ink, #1a1d22);
      color: #fff;
      border-bottom: 3px solid var(--color-brand-orange);
    }
    .news-page-hero__image {
      position: absolute;
      inset: 0;
      width: 100%;
      height: 100%;
      object-fit: cover;
      z-index: -2;
    }
    .news-page-hero::before {
      content: "";
      position: absolute;
      inset: 0;
      background:
        linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(0,0,0,0.25) 0%, rgba(0,0,0,0.55) 60%, rgba(0,0,0,0.85) 100%),
        linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(0,0,0,0.55) 0%, rgba(0,0,0,0.15) 60%, transparent 100%);
      z-index: -1;
    }
    .news-page-hero__inner {
      padding: clamp(var(--space-7), 6vw, var(--space-9)) 0 clamp(var(--space-7), 5vw, var(--space-8));
      max-width: 760px;
    }
    .news-page-hero .page-hero__crumbs,
    .news-page-hero .page-hero__crumbs a {
      color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);
    }
    .news-page-hero .page-hero__crumbs .sep { color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4); }
    .news-page-hero .eyebrow {
      color: var(--color-brand-orange);
      font-family: var(--font-sans);
      font-size: var(--text-xs);
      font-weight: var(--weight-semibold);
      letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide);
      text-transform: uppercase;
      display: inline-block;
      margin-bottom: var(--space-4);
    }
    .news-page-hero h1 {
      font-family: var(--font-serif);
      font-size: clamp(2rem, 5.2vw, 3.6rem);
      font-weight: var(--weight-semibold);
      letter-spacing: -0.02em;
      line-height: 1.05;
      max-width: 18ch;
      text-wrap: balance;
      margin: 0 0 var(--space-5);
      color: #fff;
    }
    .news-page-hero__lead {
      font-size: clamp(var(--text-base), 1.6vw, var(--text-lg));
      line-height: 1.55;
      color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);
      max-width: 56ch;
      margin: 0;
    }
    .news-page-hero__stats {
      display: flex;
      flex-wrap: wrap;
      gap: var(--space-6) var(--space-7);
      margin-top: var(--space-6);
      padding-top: var(--space-5);
      border-top: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.18);
    }
    .news-page-hero__stat {
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      gap: 2px;
    }
    .news-page-hero__stat-num {
      font-family: var(--font-mono);
      font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
      font-size: clamp(1.5rem, 2.5vw, 2rem);
      font-weight: var(--weight-semibold);
      color: #fff;
      letter-spacing: -0.01em;
    }
    .news-page-hero__stat-label {
      font-family: var(--font-sans);
      font-size: var(--text-xs);
      letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide);
      text-transform: uppercase;
      color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.6);
    }

    /* ============================================================
       FEATURED CARD — first article gets an image-led horizontal
       treatment that spans the full grid width on wider screens.
       ============================================================ */
    .news-card--featured {
      grid-column: 1 / -1;
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: 1fr;
      gap: 0;
      padding: 0;
      overflow: hidden;
      border-top: 0;
    }
    @media (min-width: 900px) {
      .news-card--featured {
        grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1.2fr) minmax(0, 1fr);
        align-items: stretch;
      }
    }
    .news-card--featured .news-card__image {
      width: 100%;
      margin: 0;
      aspect-ratio: 16 / 10;
      max-height: 100%;
      border-bottom: 3px solid var(--color-brand-orange);
    }
    @media (min-width: 900px) {
      .news-card--featured .news-card__image {
        aspect-ratio: auto;
        height: 100%;
        border-bottom: 0;
        border-right: 3px solid var(--color-brand-orange);
      }
    }
    .news-card--featured__body {
      padding: clamp(var(--space-6), 3vw, var(--space-7));
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      gap: var(--space-4);
      justify-content: center;
    }
    .news-card--featured__tag {
      display: inline-flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: var(--space-2);
      font-family: var(--font-sans);
      font-size: var(--text-xs);
      font-weight: var(--weight-semibold);
      letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide);
      text-transform: uppercase;
      color: var(--color-brand-orange-deep);
      align-self: flex-start;
    }
    .news-card--featured__tag::before {
      content: "";
      width: 8px;
      height: 8px;
      border-radius: 50%;
      background: var(--color-brand-orange);
      box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px color-mix(in oklab, var(--color-brand-orange) 22%, transparent);
    }
    .news-card--featured__title {
      font-family: var(--font-serif);
      font-size: clamp(1.5rem, 2.6vw, 2.2rem);
      font-weight: var(--weight-semibold);
      color: var(--color-ink);
      letter-spacing: -0.015em;
      line-height: 1.15;
      text-wrap: balance;
      margin: 0;
    }
    .news-card--featured__meta {
      display: flex;
      gap: var(--space-4);
      font-family: var(--font-mono);
      font-size: var(--text-xs);
      color: var(--color-text-muted);
    }
    .news-card--featured__excerpt {
      font-size: var(--text-base);
      line-height: 1.6;
      color: var(--color-text-muted);
      margin: 0;
      max-width: 52ch;
    }
    .news-card--featured__cta {
      display: inline-flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: var(--space-2);
      font-family: var(--font-sans);
      font-size: var(--text-sm);
      font-weight: var(--weight-semibold);
      color: var(--color-brand-navy);
      margin-top: var(--space-2);
    }
    .news-card--featured:hover .news-card--featured__cta { color: var(--color-brand-orange-deep); }

    /* Hide featured-card image in dense layouts to keep them honest */
    body[data-layout="list"] .news-card--featured,
    body[data-layout="timeline"] .news-card--featured,
    body[data-surface="hairline"] .news-card--featured {
      display: none;
    }

    /* Ink + timeline: bridge the rail color too. */
    body[data-surface="ink"][data-layout="timeline"] .news-card::before { box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px var(--color-surface); }