/* Unique recent-news card */
.unique-recent-card {
  display: block;
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
  border-radius: 12px;
  height: 220px;
  color: #fff;
  text-decoration: none;
  margin: 0 0 1rem 0;
  box-shadow: 0 6px 18px rgba(0,0,0,0.18);
}
.unique-recent-card .unique-bg {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background-size: cover;
  background-position: center;
  filter: brightness(0.45); /* darken image for readability */
  transform: scale(1.03);
  transition: transform .45s ease, filter .35s ease;
}

/* subtle overlay to further improve contrast */
.unique-recent-card::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background: rgba(0,0,0,0.28);
  z-index: 1;
  transition: background .25s ease;
  pointer-events: none;
}

/* ensure text overlay sits above the new overlay */
.unique-recent-card .unique-overlay {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 3;
}

/* stronger darkening on hover */
.unique-recent-card:hover .unique-bg {
  transform: scale(1.08);
  filter: brightness(0.38);
}
.unique-recent-card:hover::before {
  background: rgba(0,0,0,0.42);
}
.unique-recent-card .unique-overlay {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  height: 100%;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  justify-content: flex-end;
  padding: 18px;
  background: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(0,0,0,0) 30%, rgba(0,0,0,0.55) 100%);
}
.unique-recent-card .unique-meta { margin-bottom: 6px; }
.unique-recent-card .unique-date {
  color: rgba(255,255,255,0.85);
  font-size: 0.85rem;
}
.unique-recent-card .unique-title {
  margin: 0 0 6px 0;
  font-size: 1.25rem;
  line-height: 1.1;
  font-weight: 700;
  text-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.45);
}
.unique-recent-card .unique-excerpt {
  margin: 0 0 10px 0;
  color: rgba(255,255,255,0.92);
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  max-width: 95%;
}
.unique-recent-card .unique-cta { display: flex; gap: 8px; align-items: center; }
.unique-recent-card .btn { font-weight: 600; }
@media (max-width: 576px) {
  .unique-recent-card { height: 180px; border-radius: 10px; }
  .unique-recent-card .unique-title { font-size: 1.05rem; }
  .unique-recent-card .unique-excerpt { font-size: 0.88rem; }
}