/* GLOBAL RESET & VARIABLES */
* {
  margin: 0;
  padding: 0;
  box-sizing: border-box;
  font-family: 'Plus Jakarta Sans', 'Segoe UI', Arial, sans-serif;
}
:root {
  --navy-dark-blue: #010a26;
  --brand-blue: #0b1a4a;
  --navy: #0a1550;
  --navy-dark: #080f3d;
  --red: #d81f2a;
  --red-dark: #b5121c;
  --blog-bg: #fdeceb;
  --text-dark: #1e293b;
  --white: #ffffff;
  --border-capsule: #cbd5e1;
  --border-grey: #d9dce3;
  --pill-active-bg: #fee2e2;
}

html {
  width: 100%;
}

body {
  background-color: #f8fafc;
  width: 100%;
}

img {
  max-width: 100%;
  height: auto;
}

/*GENERIC HERO SECTION (image background variant)*/
.hero-section::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  /*background: rgba(3, 23, 57, 0.68);*/
  pointer-events: none;
}

.hero-container {
  width: 100%;
  max-width: 1400px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  text-align: center;
  height: 100%;
  padding: 20px 40px;
}

.hero-content {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  width: 100%;
  max-width: 800px;
}

.info-pill-badge {
  display: inline-block;
  background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
  color: var(--white);
  font-size: 12.5px;
  font-weight: 500;
  padding: 7px 20px;
  border-radius: 30px;
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.3);
  margin-bottom: 18px;
  backdrop-filter: blur(8px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(8px);
}

.hero-content h1 {
  font-size: clamp(26px, 3vw, 38px);
  color: var(--white);
  line-height: 1.2;
  margin-bottom: 14px;
  letter-spacing: -0.5px;
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', Georgia, serif;
  font-weight: 700;
}

.hero-content p {
  font-size: 14.5px;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);
  line-height: 1.6;
  margin-bottom: 26px;
  max-width: 560px;
  margin-left: auto;
  margin-right: auto;
}

.hero-stats {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: stretch;
}

.hero-stat {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: center;
  padding: 0 32px;
  border-left: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25);
}

.hero-stat:first-child {
  border-left: none;
}

.hero-stat-label {
  font-size: 12.5px;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);
  margin-bottom: 6px;
  font-weight: 500;
}

.hero-stat-value {
  font-size: 14.5px;
  color: var(--white);
  font-weight: 700;
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .hero-stats { flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 12px 0; }
  .hero-stat { width: 50%; border-left: none; padding: 8px 0; }
}

/* =========================================================
   GENERIC IMAGE + TEXT CARD (offset background variant)
   ========================================================= */
.card-container {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 60px;
  max-width: 1000px;
  margin: 50px auto;
  padding: 20px;
}

.image-section {
  position: relative;
  flex: 1.2;
}

.main-image {
  width: 100%;
  height: 350px;
  border-radius: 24px;
  display: block;
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
}

.offset-bg {
  position: absolute;
  width: 75%;
  height: 80%;
  background-color: var(--red);
  border-radius: 16px;
  bottom: -20px;
  left: -20px;
  z-index: 1;
}

.content-section {
  flex: 1;
}

.tagline {
  color: var(--red);
  font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.5px;
}

.title {
  color: var(--navy-dark);
  font-family: Georgia, serif;
  font-size: 2.8rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  line-height: 1.15;
  margin: 12px 0 24px 0;
}

.description {
  color: #5d6675;
  font-size: 1rem;
  line-height: 1.6;
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .card-container { flex-direction: column; gap: 20px; padding: 20px; margin-bottom: 40px; }
  .offset-bg { bottom: -15px; left: -15px; }
  .hero-container { padding: 10px 20px; }
  .guidance-section { padding: 30px 20px; }
  .main-nav { padding: 14px 16px; }
}

/* =========================================================
   PAGE HERO (services / pre-departure banner)
   ========================================================= */
.blog-hero-content {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  max-width: 1100px;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 18px;
}

.hero-badge {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  color: #ffffff;
  font-size: 12.5px;
  font-weight: 400;
  letter-spacing: 0.5px;
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.35);
  border-radius: 40px;
  padding: 6px 20px;
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
}

.blog-hero-content h1 {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', 'Segoe UI', serif;
  font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 44px;
  line-height: 1.25;
  color: #ffffff;
  letter-spacing: -0.2px;
  margin-top: 4px;
}

.hero-subtext {
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.82);
  font-size: 15px;
  max-width: 800px;
  line-height: 1.6;
}

.hero-breadcrumbs {
  font-size: 14px;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 8px;
  margin-top: 10px;
}

.hero-breadcrumbs .crumb-white {
  color: #ffffff;
}

.hero-breadcrumbs .bold-home,
.hero-breadcrumbs .bold-blog {
  font-weight: 700;
}

.hero-breadcrumbs .crumb-arrow {
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);
  font-size: 11px;
}

.hero-breadcrumbs .crumb-faded {
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.65);
  font-weight: 400;
}

/* =========================================================
   PERSONALIZED GUIDANCE SECTION
   ========================================================= */
.guidance-section {
  background-color: #ffffff;
  padding: 60px 48px;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
}

.guidance-container {
  max-width: 1180px;
  width: 100%;
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
  gap: 60px;
  align-items: center;
}

.guidance-image-wrapper {
  position: relative;
  padding-left: 20px;
  padding-bottom: 20px;
}

.red-accent-bg {
  position: absolute;
  top: 40%;
  bottom: -1px;
  left: -1px;
  right: 35%;
  background-color: var(--red);
  border-radius: 16px;
  z-index: 1;
}

.guidance-img {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  width: 100%;
  height: auto;
  border-radius: 16px;
  display: block;
  object-fit: cover;
}

.guidance-content {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: flex-start;
}

.compass-icon-box {
  width: 44px;
  height: 44px;
  background-color: var(--blog-bg);
  border-radius: 10px;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  color: var(--red);
  font-size: 18px;
  margin-bottom: 20px;
}

.guidance-title {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', 'Segoe UI', serif;
  font-size: 36px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: var(--navy-dark);
  margin-bottom: 18px;
  line-height: 1.25;
}

.guidance-description {
  color: #64748b;
  font-size: 14.5px;
  line-height: 1.8;
  margin-bottom: 28px;
}

.guidance-btn {
  display: inline-block;
  background-color: var(--red);
  color: #ffffff;
  padding: 14px 28px;
  border-radius: 8px;
  font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 15px;
  text-decoration: none;
  transition: background-color 0.15s ease, transform 0.15s ease;
}

.guidance-btn:hover {
  background-color: var(--red-dark);
  transform: translateY(-2px);
}

/* =========================================================
   BENEFITS / WHAT'S INCLUDED SECTION
   ========================================================= */
.benefits-section {
  background-color: #f4f6fa;
  padding: 60px 94px;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
}

.benefits-container {
  max-width: 1200px;
  width: 100%;
}

.benefits-header {
  text-align: center;
  margin-bottom: 50px;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: center;
}

.benefits-subtitle {
  color: var(--red);
  font-size: 14px;
  font-weight: 700;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 8px;
  margin-bottom: 12px;
}

.benefits-subtitle .dash {
  font-weight: 400;
}

.benefits-title {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', 'Segoe UI', serif;
  font-size: 40px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: var(--navy-dark);
  margin-bottom: 14px;
  line-height: 1.2;
}

.benefits-title .highlight-red {
  color: var(--red);
}

.benefits-description {
  color: #64748b;
  font-size: 15px;
  max-width: 620px;
  line-height: 1.6;
}

.benefits-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  gap: 28px;
}

.benefit-card {
  background: #ffffff;
  border-radius: 16px;
  padding: 10px 15px;
  box-shadow: 0 10px 30px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03);
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
}

.card-top {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  margin-bottom: 24px;
}

.check-icon-box {
  width: 42px;
  height: 42px;
  background-color: var(--blog-bg);
  border-radius: 8px;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  color: var(--red);
  font-size: 20px;
}

.check-icon-box .icon-filled { display: none; }
.check-icon-box .icon-outline { display: block; }
.benefit-card:hover .check-icon-box .icon-outline { display: none; }
.benefit-card:hover .check-icon-box .icon-filled { display: block; }

.card-number {
  font-family: 'Segoe UI', Arial, sans-serif;
  font-size: 32px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #dce2ed;
  line-height: 1;
}

.card-title {
  font-family: 'Segoe UI', Arial, sans-serif;
  font-size: 18px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #1a202c;
  margin-bottom: 10px;
}

.card-text {
  color: #64748b;
  font-size: 14px;
  line-height: 1.6;
}

/* =========================================================
   FAQ SECTION
   ========================================================= */
.faq-section {
  background-color: #ffffff;
  padding: 60px 94px;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
}

.faq-container {
  max-width: 1200px;
  width: 100%;
  display: flex;
  align-items: flex-start;
  justify-content: space-between;
  gap: 60px;
}

.faq-content {
  flex: 1;
  max-width: 620px;
}

.faq-subtitle {
  color: var(--red);
  font-size: 14px;
  font-weight: 700;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 8px;
  margin-bottom: 12px;
}

.faq-subtitle .dash {
  font-weight: 400;
}

.faq-title {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', 'Segoe UI', serif;
  font-size: 38px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: var(--navy-dark);
  margin-bottom: 12px;
  line-height: 1.25;
}

.faq-title .highlight-red {
  color: var(--red);
}

.faq-description {
  color: #64748b;
  font-size: 15px;
  margin-bottom: 30px;
}

.faq-list {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 16px;
}

.faq-item {
  border: 1px solid #e2e8f0;
  border-radius: 12px;
  overflow: hidden;
  background-color: #ffffff;
  transition: all 0.25s ease;
}

.faq-item.active {
  border-color: #fca5a5;
  background-color: #fdf2f2;
}

.faq-question {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  padding: 18px 22px;
  cursor: pointer;
  font-size: 15px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #1e293b;
  transition: color 0.25s ease;
}

.faq-item.active .faq-question {
  color: var(--red);
}

.faq-question .q-left {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 12px;
}

.faq-question .q-icon {
  font-size: 18px;
  color: #94a3b8;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  flex-shrink: 0;
}

.faq-question .q-icon .icon-filled {
  display: none;
  color: var(--red);
}

.faq-question .q-icon .icon-outline {
  display: block;
}

.faq-item.active .q-icon .icon-outline { display: none; }
.faq-item.active .q-icon .icon-filled { display: block; }

.faq-question .chevron {
  transition: transform 0.3s ease, color 0.25s ease;
  color: #1e293b;
  font-size: 14px;
  flex-shrink: 0;
}

.faq-item.active .chevron {
  transform: rotate(180deg);
  color: var(--red);
}

.faq-answer {
  max-height: 0;
  overflow: hidden;
  transition: max-height 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);
}

.faq-item.active .faq-answer {
  max-height: 200px;
}

.faq-answer p {
  padding: 0 22px 20px 52px;
  font-size: 14px;
  color: #475569;
  line-height: 1.6;
}

.faq-illustration {
  flex: 0.9;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
  max-width: 480px;
  padding-top: 40px;
}

.faq-illustration img {
  width: 100%;
  height: auto;
  object-fit: contain;
}

@media (max-width: 1024px) {
  .faq-container { flex-direction: column; align-items: center; gap: 40px; }
  .faq-content, .faq-illustration { max-width: 100%; width: 100%; }
  .faq-illustration { padding-top: 0; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .faq-section { padding: 60px 20px; }
  .faq-title { font-size: 30px; }
  .faq-answer p { padding-left: 22px; }
  .faq-illustration { display: none; }
  .process-section { padding: 30px 20px; background-attachment: scroll; }
}

/* =========================================================
   COUNSELING PROCESS SECTION
   ========================================================= */
.process-section {
  position: relative;
  background-image:
    linear-gradient(rgba(8, 15, 61, 0.88), rgba(8, 15, 61, 0.92)),
    url('talk.png');
  background-size: cover;
  background-position: center;
  background-attachment: fixed;
  padding: 40px 70px;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
}

.process-container {
  max-width: 1000px;
  width: 100%;
}

.process-header {
  text-align: center;
  margin-bottom: 50px;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: center;
}

.process-subtitle {
  color: #ffffff;
  font-size: 14px;
  font-weight: 600;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 8px;
  margin-bottom: 12px;
}

.process-subtitle .dash {
  font-weight: 400;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);
}

.process-title {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', 'Segoe UI', serif;
  font-size: 40px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #ffffff;
  margin-bottom: 14px;
  line-height: 1.25;
}

.process-description {
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.82);
  font-size: 15px;
  max-width: 650px;
  line-height: 1.6;
}

.process-steps {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  position: relative;
}

.process-card {
  background: #ffffff;
  border-radius: 20px;
  padding: 10px 14px;
  width: 23%;
  box-shadow: 0 10px 30px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.12);
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: center;
  text-align: center;
  z-index: 2;
}

.process-icon-box {
  width: 64px;
  height: 64px;
  background-color: var(--blog-bg);
  border-radius: 50%;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  color: var(--red);
  font-size: 24px;
  margin-bottom: 20px;
}

.step-number {
  font-size: 22px;
  font-weight: 800;
  color: var(--red);
  margin-bottom: 10px;
  line-height: 1;
}

.step-title {
  font-size: 16px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #1a202c;
  margin-bottom: 10px;
}

.step-text {
  color: #64748b;
  font-size: 13.5px;
  line-height: 1.5;
}

.process-connector {
  flex: 1;
  height: 0;
  border-top: 2px dashed rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);
  margin: 0 -4px;
  z-index: 1;
}

/* =========================================================
   BOOK A FREE SESSION SECTION
   ========================================================= */
.booking-section {
  background-color: #f8fafc;
  padding: 60px 34px;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
}

.booking-container {
  max-width: 1200px;
  width: 100%;
  background-color: #212121;
  border-radius: 20px;
  border: 1.5px solid var(--red);
  display: flex;
  overflow: hidden;
  position: relative;
  box-shadow: 0 15px 35px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08);
}

.booking-info {
  flex: 1;
  padding: 60px 48px;
  color: #ffffff;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  justify-content: center;
}

.booking-title {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', 'Georgia', serif;
  font-size: 38px;
  font-weight: 700;
  line-height: 1.25;
  margin-bottom: 20px;
  color: #ffffff;
}

.booking-title-red {
  display: block;
  color: var(--red);
}

.booking-subtext {
  color: #d1d5db;
  font-size: 15px;
  line-height: 1.6;
  margin-bottom: 36px;
  max-width: 440px;
}

.booking-bullets {
  list-style: none;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 18px;
}

.booking-bullets li {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 14px;
  font-size: 14.5px;
  font-weight: 600;
  color: #ffffff;
}

.booking-bullets li i {
  color: var(--red);
  font-size: 18px;
  flex-shrink: 0;
}

.booking-form-card {
  flex: 1.1;
  background-color: #ffffff;
  border-top-left-radius: 20px;
  border-bottom-left-radius: 20px;
  border-top: 6px solid #b8860b;
  padding: 44px 40px;
}

.booking-form {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 20px;
}

.form-row {
  display: flex;
  gap: 20px;
}

.form-group {
  flex: 1;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 8px;
}

.form-group.full-width {
  width: 100%;
}

.form-group label {
  font-size: 14px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #1e293b;
}

.form-group input,
.form-group select,
.form-group textarea {
  width: 100%;
  background-color: #f8fafc;
  border: 1px solid #cbd5e1;
  border-radius: 8px;
  padding: 12px 16px;
  font-size: 14px;
  color: #334155;
  outline: none;
  transition: border-color 0.2s ease, background-color 0.2s ease;
  font-family: inherit;
}

.form-group input::placeholder,
.form-group textarea::placeholder {
  color: #94a3b8;
}

.form-group input:focus,
.form-group select:focus,
.form-group textarea:focus {
  border-color: var(--red);
  background-color: #ffffff;
}

.select-wrapper {
  position: relative;
  width: 100%;
}

.select-wrapper select {
  appearance: none;
  -webkit-appearance: none;
  -moz-appearance: none;
  cursor: pointer;
  padding-right: 40px;
}

.select-arrow {
  position: absolute;
  right: 16px;
  top: 50%;
  transform: translateY(-50%);
  color: #1e293b;
  font-size: 12px;
  pointer-events: none;
}

.form-group textarea {
  resize: vertical;
  min-height: 100px;
}

.booking-submit-btn {
  background-color: var(--red);
  color: #ffffff;
  border: none;
  border-radius: 8px;
  padding: 14px;
  font-size: 15px;
  font-weight: 700;
  cursor: pointer;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 10px;
  margin-top: 8px;
  transition: background-color 0.2s ease, transform 0.15s ease;
}

.booking-submit-btn:hover {
  background-color: var(--red-dark);
  transform: translateY(-1px);
}

.booking-submit-btn i {
  font-size: 14px;
}

@media (max-width: 1024px) {
  .booking-container { flex-direction: column; }
  .booking-form-card { border-top-left-radius: 0; border-bottom-left-radius: 0; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .booking-section { padding: 40px 16px; }
  .booking-info { padding: 40px 24px; }
  .booking-title { font-size: 28px; }
  .booking-form-card { padding: 28px 20px; }
  .form-row { flex-direction: column; gap: 20px; }
}

/* =========================================================
   BLOG ARTICLE LAYOUT & SIDEBAR (shared component library —
   used on blog/article pages that also load this stylesheet)
   ========================================================= */
.blog-article {
  padding: 50px 48px;
}

.blog-article-layout {
  max-width: 1350px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1.85fr 1fr;
  gap: 36px;
  align-items: start;
}

.blog-article-main {
  background: #ffffff;
  border-radius: 16px;
  box-shadow: 0 10px 30px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.035);
  padding: 32px;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.blog-article-img {
  margin: -32px -32px 0 -32px;
  width: calc(100% + 64px);
  aspect-ratio: 16/9;
  border-radius: 16px 16px 0 0;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.blog-article-img img {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  object-fit: cover;
  display: block;
}

.post-meta {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 22px;
  color: #777777;
  font-size: 14px;
  margin-top: 18px;
  margin-bottom: 16px;
}

.post-meta i {
  font-size: 14px;
}

.post-meta span {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 6px;
}

.post-title {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', 'Segoe UI', serif;
  font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 32px;
  color: var(--text-dark);
  margin-top: 18px;
}

.blog-article-heading {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', 'Segoe UI', serif;
  font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 24px;
  color: #1a202c;
  margin: 32px 0 16px;
}

.blog-article-text {
  color: #585d68;
  font-size: 15px;
  line-height: 1.8;
  margin-bottom: 22px;
}

.blog-article-text strong {
  color: #1a202c;
}

.article-share-bar {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 12px;
  margin-top: 36px;
  padding-top: 24px;
  border-top: 1px solid #e2e8f0;
}

.share-title {
  font-size: 15px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #2d3748;
}

.share-box {
  width: 36px;
  height: 36px;
  border: 1px solid #cbd5e1;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  color: #475569;
  text-decoration: none;
  font-size: 14px;
  transition: all 0.2s ease;
}

.share-box:hover {
  background-color: var(--red);
  color: #ffffff;
  border-color: var(--red);
}

.blog-sidebar {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 28px;
}

.sidebar-widget {
  background: #ffffff;
  border-radius: 16px;
  padding: 28px 24px;
  box-shadow: 0 10px 30px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.035);
}

.widget-search .search-label {
  display: block;
  font-size: 15px;
  color: #4a5568;
  margin-bottom: 12px;
  font-weight: 600;
}

.search-input-wrapper {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  border: 1px solid #edf2f7;
  border-radius: 8px;
  padding: 10px 14px;
  background: #ffffff;
}

.search-input-wrapper input {
  border: none;
  outline: none;
  width: 100%;
  font-size: 13.5px;
  color: #2d3748;
}

.search-input-wrapper input::placeholder {
  color: #a0aec0;
}

.search-input-wrapper button {
  background: transparent;
  border: none;
  color: #a0aec0;
  cursor: pointer;
  font-size: 14px;
  padding-left: 8px;
}

.widget-title {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-size: 20px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #1a202c;
  margin-bottom: 6px;
}

.widget-title-underline {
  width: 34px;
  height: 3px;
  background: var(--red);
  margin-bottom: 22px;
  border-radius: 2px;
}

.recent-posts-list {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
}

.recent-post-item {
  display: flex;
  gap: 14px;
  align-items: center;
  text-decoration: none;
  padding: 16px 0;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #edf2f7;
}

.recent-post-item:last-child {
  border-bottom: none;
  padding-bottom: 0;
}

.recent-post-item:first-child {
  padding-top: 0;
}

.recent-post-thumb {
  width: 64px;
  height: 64px;
  flex-shrink: 0;
  border-radius: 4px;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.recent-post-thumb img {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  object-fit: cover;
}

.recent-post-info h4 {
  font-size: 13.5px;
  font-weight: 600;
  color: #4a5568;
  line-height: 1.4;
  margin-bottom: 4px;
  transition: color 0.15s ease;
}

.recent-post-item:hover .recent-post-info h4 {
  color: var(--red);
}

.recent-post-date {
  font-size: 12px;
  color: var(--red);
  font-weight: 600;
}

.widget-list {
  list-style: none;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 14px;
}

.widget-list li {
  position: relative;
  padding-left: 18px;
  font-size: 14px;
  color: #4a5568;
  font-weight: 600;
  cursor: pointer;
  transition: color 0.15s ease;
}

.widget-list li::before {
  content: "•";
  position: absolute;
  left: 0;
  color: #1a202c;
  font-size: 16px;
  line-height: 1;
  top: 1px;
}

.widget-list li:hover {
  color: var(--red);
}

.widget-tags {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 10px;
}

.tag-pill {
  background-color: #f1f5f9;
  color: #475569;
  font-size: 13.5px;
  font-weight: 600;
  padding: 10px 18px;
  border-radius: 8px;
  cursor: pointer;
  transition: all 0.2s ease;
}

.tag-pill:hover {
  background-color: var(--red);
  color: #ffffff;
}

/* Alternate nav variant used on blog/article pages (main-nav / nav-pill) */
.main-nav {
  background: #fff;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  padding: 14px 48px;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #ececec;
}

.logo {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 10px;
  text-decoration: none;
}

.logo-icon {
  width: 44px;
  height: 44px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: var(--red);
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  color: #fff;
  font-size: 20px;
  flex-shrink: 0;
}

.logo-text .study { color: var(--navy); }
.logo-text .xperts { color: var(--red); }

.nav-pill {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 2px;
  border: 1px solid var(--border-grey);
  border-radius: 40px;
  padding: 6px 8px;
}

.nav-pill a {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 5px;
  text-decoration: none;
  color: var(--text-dark);
  font-size: 15px;
  font-weight: 600;
  padding: 10px 16px;
  border-radius: 30px;
  white-space: nowrap;
  transition: background .15s ease, color .15s ease;
}

.nav-pill a:hover {
  background: #f5f6f8;
}

.nav-pill a i {
  font-size: 11px;
  margin-top: 1px;
}

.nav-pill a.active {
  background: var(--blog-bg);
  color: var(--red);
}

.cta-btn {
  background: var(--red);
  color: #fff;
  border: none;
  font-size: 15px;
  font-weight: 700;
  padding: 16px 26px;
  border-radius: 8px;
  cursor: pointer;
  white-space: nowrap;
  transition: background .15s ease;
}

.cta-btn:hover {
  background: var(--red-dark);
}

.social-icon {
  width: 28px;
  height: 28px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: #fff;
  color: var(--navy);
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  font-size: 13px;
  text-decoration: none;
  transition: transform .15s ease;
}

.social-icon:hover {
  transform: translateY(-2px);
}

/* =========================================================
   RESPONSIVE MEDIA QUERIES
   ========================================================= */
@media (max-width: 1024px) {
  .guidance-container { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 40px; }
  .benefits-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
  .blog-article-layout { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .blog-article { padding: 30px 20px; }
  .blog-hero1 {  padding: 60px 20px; }
  .blog-hero-content h1 { font-size: 30px; line-height: 1.3; }
  .hero-breadcrumbs { font-size: 13px; flex-wrap: wrap; justify-content: center; }
  .benefits-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .benefits-title { font-size: 30px; }
  .benefits-section { padding: 60px 20px; }
  
  /* MODERATE: Hide hero line breaks on mobile */
  .hero-section h1 br { display: none; }
  
  /* CRITICAL: Process steps mobile layout fix */
  .process-title { font-size: 28px; }
  .process-steps { 
    flex-direction: column; 
    align-items: center;
    gap: 20px;
  }
  .process-card { 
    width: 100%; 
    max-width: 280px;
  }
  .process-connector { 
    display: none;
  }
}

@media (max-width: 480px) {
  .cta-btn { padding: 12px 18px; font-size: 13px; }
  .guidance-title { font-size: 26px; }
}

@media (max-width: 400px) {
  .cta-btn { padding: 10px 14px; font-size: 12px; }
  .guidance-title { font-size: 22px; }

  .process-card {
    padding: 14px;
    max-width: 240px;
  }

  .process-card h3 {
    font-size: 13px;
  }

  .process-card p {
    font-size: 11px;
  }

  .section-heading h2 {
    font-size: 22px;
  }

  .section-heading p {
    font-size: 12px;
  }

  .timeline-item {
    padding-bottom: 20px;
  }

  .timeline-item.left {
    padding-right: 24px;
  }

  .timeline-item.right {
    padding-left: 24px;
  }

  .timeline-content h3 {
    font-size: 14px;
  }

  .timeline-content p {
    font-size: 11px;
  }

  .faq-section {
    gap: 24px;
    padding: 24px 12px;
  }

  .faq-section .faq-question {
    padding: 12px 14px;
    font-size: 12px;
  }

  .faq-section .faq-answer p {
    font-size: 12px;
    padding: 4px 14px 14px 14px;
  }
}