/* ========================================
     Lightbox Overlay
     ======================================== */
  .lightbox {
    position: fixed;
    inset: 0;                       /* top/right/bottom/left = 0 */
    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85);
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    z-index: 9999;
  }
  
  .hidden {
    display: none;
  }
  
  /* ========================================
     Lightbox Content
     ======================================== */
  .lightbox-content {
    position: relative;
    max-width: 90vw;
    max-height: 90vh;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    overflow: hidden;
  }
  
  .lightbox-content img {
    max-width: 90vw;
    max-height: 90vh;
    width: auto;
    height: auto;
    object-fit: contain;  /* ensure full image fits */
    display: block;
  }
  
  /* ========================================
     Close Button
     ======================================== */
  .lb-close {
    position: absolute;
    top: 0.5rem;
    right: 0.5rem;
    background: #fff;
    border: none;
    border-radius: 50%;
    font-size: 1.5rem;
    width: 2rem;
    height: 2rem;
    line-height: 1;
    cursor: pointer;
    z-index: 1;
  }
  
  /* ========================================
     Navigation & Download Controls
     ======================================== */
  .lb-controls {
    position: absolute;
    bottom: 0.5rem;
    left: 50%;
    transform: translateX(-50%);
    display: flex;
    gap: 0.5rem;
  }
  
  .lb-controls button {
    background: #fff;
    border: none;
    border-radius: 4px;
    padding: 0.5rem;
    font-size: 1rem;
    cursor: pointer;
  }
  
  #lb-download {
    text-decoration: none;
  }
  
  #lb-download button {
    /* inherits .lb-controls button styles */
  }

    .news-image-crop {
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    object-fit: cover;   /* Crops the image to fill the container */
    object-position: center; /* Center the crop */
    aspect-ratio: 5 / 3; /* Ensures horizontal aspect ratio if supported */
    border-radius: 8px;  /* Optional: rounded corners */
}