.news-ticker {
  width: 100%;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  padding: 8px 0;
  gap: 10px;
  overflow: hidden;
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;

  /* Light-mode subtle background, aligned with nav.panel-bg */
background: linear-gradient(
  90deg,
  #F7FAFC,
  #F0F4F8,
  #EDF2F7,
  #F7FAFC
);
background-size: 400% 400%;
animation: gradientShiftLight 25s ease infinite;


  /* Separate slightly from nav */
  margin-top: calc(var(--nav-height, 72px) + 16px);

  /* Light subtle shadow */
  box-shadow: 0 3px 6px rgba(15,26,31,0.08);
}

.news-ticker .label {
  background: var(--accent-1); /* Grid Digit primary */
  color: #FFFFFF; /* text contrast for light mode */
  padding: 6px 14px;
  font-size: 14px;
  font-weight: 700;
  border-radius: 6px;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  position: relative;
  z-index: 3;
  margin-left: 52px;

  /* subtle shadow for pop */
  box-shadow: 0 2px 6px rgba(0,201,130,0.25);
}

.news-ticker .label::before {
  content: "";
  width: 2px;
  height: 18px;
  background: rgba(255,255,255,0.6); /* slightly stronger for visibility */
  margin-right: 6px;
  display: inline-block;
  border-radius: 1px;
}

.ticker-wrap {
  overflow: hidden;
  flex: 1;
}

.ticker {
  display: inline-flex;
  white-space: nowrap;
  gap: 60px;
  animation: tickerMove 18s linear infinite;
}

.ticker span {
  font-size: 14.5px;
  font-weight: 500;
  opacity: 0.85;
  cursor: pointer;
  color: var(--white);
  transition: color 0.2s;
}

.ticker span:first-child {
  margin-left: -8px;
}

.ticker span:hover {
  color: var(--accent-2);
}

@keyframes tickerMove {
  0% { transform: translateX(100%); }
  100% { transform: translateX(-100%); }
}

@keyframes gradientShiftLight {
  0% { background-position: 0% 50%; }
  50% { background-position: 100% 50%; }
  100% { background-position: 0% 50%; }
}

@media(max-width:540px) {
  .ticker span { font-size: 13px; }
  .ticker { animation-duration: 25s; }
  .news-ticker .label { padding: 5px 12px; font-size: 13px; }
}