/* Container and Slide Setup */
.featured-carousel {
    width: 100%;
    margin: auto;
}

.featured-carousel .swiper-slide {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: space-between;
    padding: 20px;
}

/* Left Section: Gradient Background & Circular Layout */
.carousel-item-left {
    flex: 1;
    max-width: 45%;
}

.gradient-circle {
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #ff4e50, #f9d423);  /* Example red-to-gold gradient */
    border-radius: 50%;
    padding: 30px;
    color: #fff;
    text-align: center;
}

.featured-label {
    font-weight: bold;
    margin-bottom: 10px;
    display: block;
}

.star-icon {
    /* Use a font icon or an inline SVG. Example using Font Awesome:
       Ensure Font Awesome is enqueued or loaded in your theme. */
    margin-right: 5px;
}

/* Post Title & Excerpt */
.post-title {
    font-size: 1.5em;
    margin: 10px 0;
}

.post-excerpt {
    font-size: 1em;
    margin-bottom: 20px;
}

/* More Information Button */
.more-info-button {
    display: inline-block;
    background-color: #0073aa;
    color: #fff;
    padding: 10px 15px;
    text-decoration: none;
    border-radius: 5px;
}

/* Right Section: Image Styling */
.carousel-item-right {
    flex: 1;
    max-width: 45%;
}

.post-thumbnail img {
    width: 100%;
    height: auto;
    border-radius: 10px;
}

/* Navigation Arrows */
.swiper-button-prev,
.swiper-button-next {
    background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.5);
    border-radius: 50%;
    width: 40px;
    height: 40px;
    top: 50%;
    transform: translateY(-50%);
}

.swiper-button-prev::after,
.swiper-button-next::after {
    font-size: 20px;
    color: #fff;
}