/* =====================================================
   ABOUT PAGE STYLES  — NO JS-DEPENDENT ANIMATIONS
   ===================================================== */

        /* --- reset animation overrides so content is always visible --- */
        .ab-visible {
            opacity: 1 !important;
            transform: none !important;
        }

        /* ---- HERO ---- */
        .ab-hero {
            position: relative;
            height: 460px;
            display: flex;
            align-items: center;
            justify-content: center;
            text-align: center;
            overflow: hidden;
        }

        .ab-hero-bg {
            position: absolute;
            inset: 0;
            width: 100%;
            height: 100%;
            object-fit: cover;
            object-position: center;
        }

        .ab-hero-overlay {
            position: absolute;
            inset: 0;
            background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(10, 20, 50, 0.82) 0%, rgba(0, 113, 188, 0.55) 100%);
            z-index: 1;
        }

        .ab-hero-body {
            position: relative;
            z-index: 2;
            padding: 0 24px;
            animation: fadeUp .9s ease both;
        }

        .ab-breadcrumb {
            display: flex;
            align-items: center;
            justify-content: center;
            gap: 8px;
            font-size: .82rem;
            font-weight: 600;
            color: rgba(255, 255, 255, .65);
            letter-spacing: .08em;
            margin-bottom: 18px;
        }

        .ab-breadcrumb a {
            color: var(--yellow);
            text-decoration: none;
        }

        .ab-bc-active {
            color: rgba(255, 255, 255, .75);
        }

        .ab-hero-body h1 {
            font-size: clamp(2.4rem, 5vw, 4.2rem);
            font-weight: 800;
            color: #fff;
            line-height: 1.1;
            margin-bottom: 16px;
        }

        .ab-hero-body h1 em {
            font-style: normal;
            color: var(--yellow);
        }

        .ab-hero-body p {
            font-size: 1.1rem;
            color: rgba(255, 255, 255, .82);
            max-width: 560px;
            margin: 0 auto;
        }

        .ab-scroll-hint {
            position: absolute;
            bottom: 26px;
            left: 50%;
            transform: translateX(-50%);
            z-index: 3;
            display: flex;
            flex-direction: column;
            align-items: center;
            gap: 4px;
            color: rgba(255, 255, 255, .4);
            font-size: .7rem;
            letter-spacing: .12em;
            text-transform: uppercase;
            animation: abBounce 2s infinite;
        }

        .ab-scroll-hint svg {
            width: 18px;
            height: 18px;
        }

        @keyframes abBounce {

            0%,
            100% {
                transform: translateX(-50%) translateY(0);
            }

            50% {
                transform: translateX(-50%) translateY(8px);
            }
        }

        @keyframes fadeUp {
            from {
                opacity: 0;
                transform: translateY(30px);
            }

            to {
                opacity: 1;
                transform: translateY(0);
            }
        }

        /* ---- STATS STRIP ---- */
        .ab-stats {
            background: var(--dark);
            border-top: 3px solid var(--yellow);
        }

        .ab-stats-inner {
            max-width: 1280px;
            margin: 0 auto;
            display: grid;
            grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr);
        }

        .ab-stat-item {
            padding: 36px 20px;
            text-align: center;
            border-right: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, .08);
            transition: background .3s;
        }

        .ab-stat-item:last-child {
            border-right: none;
        }

        .ab-stat-item:hover {
            background: rgba(255, 255, 255, .04);
        }

        .ab-stat-n {
            display: block;
            font-size: 2.6rem;
            font-weight: 800;
            color: var(--yellow);
            line-height: 1;
        }

        .ab-stat-l {
            display: block;
            font-size: .78rem;
            font-weight: 600;
            color: rgba(255, 255, 255, .5);
            letter-spacing: .08em;
            text-transform: uppercase;
            margin-top: 6px;
        }

        /* ---- STORY SECTION REDESIGN ---- */
        .ab-story {
            padding: 120px 0;
            background: #fff;
            overflow: hidden;
        }

        .ab-story-grid {
            display: grid;
            grid-template-columns: 1fr 1.05fr;
            gap: 100px;
            align-items: center;
        }

        .ab-img-box {
            position: relative;
            z-index: 1;
            padding: 20px 0 0 20px;
        }

        .ab-img-box::before {
            content: '';
            position: absolute;
            top: 0; left: 0;
            width: 92%; height: 95%;
            border: 3px solid var(--sky);
            border-radius: 24px;
            z-index: -1;
            transform: translate(-5px, -5px);
            transition: transform 0.6s cubic-bezier(0.165, 0.84, 0.44, 1);
        }

        .ab-img-box:hover::before {
            transform: translate(15px, 15px);
            border-color: var(--blue);
        }

        .ab-img-box img {
            width: 100%;
            height: 560px;
            object-fit: cover;
            border-radius: 24px;
            box-shadow: 0 30px 60px rgba(0, 113, 188, 0.12);
            transition: transform 0.6s cubic-bezier(0.165, 0.84, 0.44, 1);
            display: block;
        }

        .ab-img-box:hover img {
            transform: translateY(-8px);
        }

        /* Glassmorphic Badges */
        .ab-badge {
            position: absolute;
            background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);
            backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
            -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
            color: var(--dark);
            border-radius: 20px;
            box-shadow: 0 15px 35px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08);
            border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 1);
            transition: transform 0.6s cubic-bezier(0.165, 0.84, 0.44, 1);
        }

        .ab-img-box:hover .ab-badge-tl { transform: translate(-15px, -15px) scale(1.05); }
        .ab-img-box:hover .ab-badge-br { transform: translate(15px, 15px) scale(1.05); }

        .ab-badge-tl {
            top: -10px; left: -15px;
            padding: 24px 32px;
            text-align: center;
        }

        .ab-badge-br {
            bottom: 40px; right: -25px;
            padding: 20px 28px;
            display: flex;
            align-items: center;
            gap: 16px;
        }

        .ab-badge-br svg {
            width: 38px; height: 38px;
            color: var(--yellow);
            flex-shrink: 0;
        }

        .ab-badge-num {
            display: block;
            font-size: 2.8rem;
            font-weight: 800;
            line-height: 1;
            color: var(--blue);
            margin-bottom: 4px;
        }

        .ab-badge-br .ab-badge-num {
            font-size: 1.8rem;
        }

        .ab-badge-lbl {
            display: block;
            font-size: .75rem;
            font-weight: 700;
            text-transform: uppercase;
            letter-spacing: .1em;
            color: var(--grey);
        }

        .ab-story-copy {}

        .ab-story-header h2 {
            font-size: clamp(1.8rem, 3.2vw, 2.8rem);
            font-weight: 800;
            color: var(--dark);
            line-height: 1.15;
            margin-top: 24px;
        }

        .ab-story-header h2 em {
            font-style: normal;
            color: var(--blue);
            position: relative;
            display: inline-block;
        }
        
        .ab-story-header h2 em::after {
            content: ''; position: absolute;
            left: 0; bottom: 4px; width: 100%; height: 8px;
            background: rgba(255,200,2,0.4);
            z-index: -1;
        }

        .ab-story-copy p {
            color: #4b5563;
            line-height: 1.8;
            margin-bottom: 16px;
            font-size: 1.05rem;
        }
        
        .ab-story-copy p:first-of-type {
            font-size: 1.15rem;
            font-weight: 500;
            color: var(--dark);
        }

        .ab-inline-stats {
            display: flex;
            align-items: center;
            background: #fff;
            border-radius: 20px;
            box-shadow: 0 10px 30px rgba(0,0,0,0.04);
            border: 1px solid var(--border);
            padding: 24px 32px;
            margin: 32px 0;
            gap: 0;
        }

        .ab-is-item {
            flex: 1;
            text-align: center;
        }

        .ab-is-num {
            display: block;
            font-size: 2.2rem;
            font-weight: 800;
            color: var(--blue);
            margin-bottom: 6px;
        }

        .ab-is-lbl {
            font-size: .75rem;
            font-weight: 700;
            color: var(--grey);
            text-transform: uppercase;
            letter-spacing: .08em;
        }

        .ab-is-sep {
            width: 1px;
            height: 50px;
            background: var(--border);
            flex-shrink: 0;
        }

        /* ---- VALUES REDESIGN ---- */
        .ab-values {
            padding: 100px 0 120px;
            background: var(--offwhite);
            position: relative;
        }

        .ab-values::before {
            content: '';
            position: absolute;
            top: 40px; left: 4%; right: 4%;
            height: 65%;
            background: 
                radial-gradient(circle at 85% 15%, rgba(255, 200, 2, 0.12) 0%, transparent 35%),
                radial-gradient(circle at 10% 70%, rgba(92, 196, 243, 0.15) 0%, transparent 45%),
                linear-gradient(135deg, var(--blue-dk) 0%, var(--blue) 100%);
            border-radius: 40px;
            box-shadow: 0 24px 60px rgba(0, 113, 188, 0.12);
            z-index: 0;
        }

        .ab-values::after {
            content: '';
            position: absolute;
            top: 20px; right: 2%;
            width: 180px; height: 180px;
            background-image: radial-gradient(var(--yellow) 2px, transparent 2px);
            background-size: 16px 16px;
            opacity: 0.25;
            z-index: 1;
            border-radius: 50%;
            pointer-events: none;
        }

        .ab-values .container { position: relative; z-index: 2; }
        
        .ab-values .sec-h2 { color: #fff; margin-bottom: 16px; }
        .ab-values .sec-header p { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75); }

        .ab-values-grid {
            display: grid;
            grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
            gap: 30px;
            margin-top: 60px;
        }

        .ab-vc {
            background: #fff;
            border-radius: 24px;
            padding: 44px 32px;
            border: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.03);
            box-shadow: 0 16px 40px rgba(0,0,0,0.06);
            transition: transform 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.175, 0.885, 0.32, 1.275), box-shadow 0.4s ease;
            position: relative;
            z-index: 1;
            text-align: center;
        }

        .ab-vc:hover {
            transform: translateY(-12px);
            box-shadow: 0 32px 60px rgba(0, 113, 188, 0.15);
            z-index: 2;
        }

        .ab-vc-icon {
            width: 76px;
            height: 76px;
            background: var(--offwhite);
            border-radius: 50%;
            display: flex;
            align-items: center;
            justify-content: center;
            margin: 0 auto 24px;
            color: var(--blue);
            transition: all 0.4s ease;
        }

        .ab-vc:hover .ab-vc-icon {
            background: var(--blue);
            color: #fff;
            transform: scale(1.1) rotate(5deg);
            box-shadow: 0 12px 24px rgba(0,113,188,0.3);
        }

        .ab-vc-icon svg {
            width: 34px;
            height: 34px;
        }

        .ab-vc h3 {
            font-size: 1.15rem;
            font-weight: 800;
            color: var(--dark);
            margin-bottom: 12px;
            transition: color 0.3s;
        }

        .ab-vc:hover h3 { color: var(--blue); }

        .ab-vc p {
            font-size: .95rem;
            color: var(--grey);
            line-height: 1.7;
        }

        /* ---- TESTIMONIALS ---- */
        .ab-testimonials {
            padding: 90px 0;
            background: #fff;
        }
        .testi-item {
            background: #fff;
            border-radius: 20px;
            padding: 44px 32px;
            margin: 15px;
            border: 1px solid var(--border);
            text-align: center;
            box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.04);
            transition: transform 0.3s ease;
        }
        .testi-item:hover {
            transform: translateY(-5px);
            border-color: var(--blue-lg);
        }
        .testi-stars {
            color: var(--yellow);
            font-size: 1.3rem;
            margin-bottom: 18px;
            letter-spacing: 2px;
        }
        .testi-item p {
            font-size: 1.05rem;
            color: var(--dark);
            font-style: italic;
            line-height: 1.7;
            margin-bottom: 24px;
        }
        .testi-item h4 {
            font-size: .9rem;
            font-weight: 800;
            color: var(--blue);
            text-transform: uppercase;
            letter-spacing: .1em;
        }
        .ab-testi-carousel .owl-dots {
            display: flex;
            justify-content: center;
            margin-top: 30px;
            gap: 10px;
        }
        .ab-testi-carousel .owl-dot {
            width: 12px;
            height: 12px;
            border-radius: 50%;
            background: rgba(0,113,188,0.2) !important;
            transition: all .3s;
            border: none;
            padding: 0;
        }
        .ab-testi-carousel .owl-dot.active {
            background: var(--blue) !important;
            transform: scale(1.3);
        }

        /* ---- TIMELINE ---- */
        .ab-timeline {
            padding: 90px 0;
            background: var(--dark);
            position: relative;
            overflow: hidden;
        }
        .ab-timeline::before {
            content: '';
            position: absolute;
            top: -120px; right: -120px;
            width: 500px; height: 500px;
            background: radial-gradient(circle, rgba(0,113,188,.18) 0%, transparent 70%);
            border-radius: 50%;
            pointer-events: none;
        }
        /* The list of timeline entries */
        .ab-tl-list {
            position: relative;
            margin-top: 60px;
            list-style: none;
            padding: 0;
        }
        /* The vertical centre line */
        .ab-tl-list::before {
            content: '';
            position: absolute;
            top: 0; bottom: 0;
            left: 50%;
            transform: translateX(-50%);
            width: 2px;
            background: linear-gradient(to bottom, var(--yellow), var(--blue), transparent);
        }
        /* Each entry row */
        .ab-tl-entry {
            display: flex;
            align-items: flex-start;
            margin-bottom: 48px;
            position: relative;
        }
        /* LEFT card entries */
        .ab-tl-entry.tl-left {
            flex-direction: row;
            justify-content: flex-start;
        }
        .ab-tl-entry.tl-left .ab-tl-card {
            margin-right: calc(50% + 32px);
            text-align: right;
            width: 100%;
        }
        /* RIGHT card entries */
        .ab-tl-entry.tl-right {
            flex-direction: row;
            justify-content: flex-end;
        }
        .ab-tl-entry.tl-right .ab-tl-card {
            margin-left: calc(50% + 32px);
            text-align: left;
            width: 100%;
        }
        /* The dot on the centre line */
        .ab-tl-entry::after {
            content: '';
            position: absolute;
            top: 28px;
            left: 50%;
            transform: translateX(-50%);
            width: 16px;
            height: 16px;
            border-radius: 50%;
            background: var(--yellow);
            box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px rgba(255,200,2,.25);
            z-index: 2;
        }
        .ab-tl-card {
            background: rgba(255,255,255,.06);
            border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.1);
            border-radius: 16px;
            padding: 26px 30px;
            transition: background .3s;
        }
        .ab-tl-card:hover { background: rgba(255,255,255,.1); }
        .ab-tl-yr {
            font-size: 1.6rem;
            font-weight: 800;
            color: var(--yellow);
            line-height: 1;
            margin-bottom: 6px;
        }
        .ab-tl-card h3 { font-size: 1rem; font-weight: 700; color: #fff; margin-bottom: 8px; }
        .ab-tl-card p  { font-size: .87rem; color: rgba(255,255,255,.55); line-height: 1.6; }

        /* ---- AWARD ---- */
        .ab-award {
            padding: 80px 0;
            background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--blue) 0%, var(--blue-dk) 100%);
            position: relative;
            overflow: hidden;
            text-align: center;
        }

        .ab-award::before {
            content: '';
            position: absolute;
            top: -80px;
            left: -80px;
            width: 400px;
            height: 400px;
            background: rgba(255, 255, 255, .04);
            border-radius: 50%;
            pointer-events: none;
        }

        .ab-award::after {
            content: '';
            position: absolute;
            bottom: -60px;
            right: -60px;
            width: 300px;
            height: 300px;
            background: rgba(255, 200, 2, .08);
            border-radius: 50%;
            pointer-events: none;
        }

        .ab-award-inner {
            position: relative;
            z-index: 2;
        }

        .ab-award-stars {
            display: flex;
            align-items: center;
            justify-content: center;
            gap: 6px;
            margin-bottom: 20px;
        }

        .ab-award-stars span {
            font-size: 2.2rem;
            color: var(--yellow);
        }

        .ab-award h2 {
            font-size: clamp(1.9rem, 4vw, 3rem);
            font-weight: 800;
            color: #fff;
            line-height: 1.15;
            margin-bottom: 16px;
        }

        .ab-award h2 span {
            color: var(--yellow);
        }

        .ab-award p {
            font-size: 1rem;
            color: rgba(255, 255, 255, .78);
            max-width: 560px;
            margin: 0 auto 32px;
            line-height: 1.7;
        }

        .ab-award-pills {
            display: flex;
            align-items: center;
            justify-content: center;
            gap: 12px;
            flex-wrap: wrap;
            margin-bottom: 36px;
        }

        .ab-pill {
            background: rgba(255, 255, 255, .12);
            border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, .22);
            color: #fff;
            padding: 10px 20px;
            border-radius: 100px;
            font-size: .88rem;
            font-weight: 700;
        }

        /* ---- QUOTE (Typography-led Clean Design) ---- */
        .ab-quote {
            padding: 110px 0;
            background: #fafafa;
        }

        .ab-quote::before { display: none; }

        .ab-quote-card {
            max-width: 720px;
            margin: 0 auto;
            text-align: center;
            background: transparent;
            box-shadow: none;
            border: none;
            padding: 0;
        }

        .ab-quote-mark {
            display: block;
            font-size: 3rem;
            color: var(--yellow);
            font-family: Georgia, serif;
            line-height: 1;
            margin-bottom: 28px;
            letter-spacing: -2px;
        }

        .ab-quote-text {
            font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;
            font-size: clamp(1.2rem, 2.2vw, 1.5rem);
            font-weight: 400;
            color: #1a2332;
            line-height: 1.85;
            font-style: italic;
            margin-bottom: 44px;
        }

        /* Thin separator line */
        .ab-quote-attr {
            display: flex;
            flex-direction: column;
            align-items: center;
            gap: 6px;
            position: relative;
            padding-top: 28px;
        }

        .ab-quote-attr::before {
            content: '';
            position: absolute;
            top: 0; left: 50%;
            transform: translateX(-50%);
            width: 40px;
            height: 1px;
            background: #d1d5db;
        }

        .ab-quote-attr::after { display: none; }

        .ab-quote-avatar { display: none; }

        .ab-qa-name {
            font-size: 0.95rem;
            font-weight: 600;
            color: #1a2332;
            letter-spacing: 0.05em;
            text-transform: uppercase;
            text-align: center;
            margin-bottom: 0;
        }

        .ab-qa-title {
            font-size: 0.85rem;
            color: #9ca3af;
            text-align: center;
            padding-left: 0;
            letter-spacing: 0;
        }

        .ab-qa-title::before { display: none; }

        /* ---- FINAL CTA ---- */
        .ab-cta {
            padding: 100px 0;
            background: var(--dark);
            text-align: center;
            position: relative;
            overflow: hidden;
        }

        .ab-cta-watermark {
            position: absolute;
            top: 50%;
            left: 50%;
            transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
            font-size: 18vw;
            font-weight: 900;
            color: rgba(255, 255, 255, .025);
            letter-spacing: .15em;
            pointer-events: none;
            white-space: nowrap;
            user-select: none;
        }

        .ab-cta-body {
            position: relative;
            z-index: 2;
        }

        .ab-cta-body h2 {
            font-size: clamp(1.8rem, 3.5vw, 3rem);
            font-weight: 800;
            color: #fff;
            margin: 16px 0;
            line-height: 1.2;
        }

        .ab-cta-body h2 span {
            color: var(--yellow);
        }

        .ab-cta-body p {
            color: rgba(255, 255, 255, .6);
            max-width: 540px;
            margin: 0 auto 40px;
            line-height: 1.7;
        }

        .ab-cta-btns {
            display: flex;
            align-items: center;
            justify-content: center;
            gap: 16px;
            flex-wrap: wrap;
        }

        .ab-btn-y {
            background: var(--yellow);
            color: var(--dark);
            padding: 16px 36px;
            border-radius: 100px;
            font-weight: 800;
            font-size: 1rem;
            text-decoration: none;
            transition: all .3s;
            box-shadow: 0 6px 24px rgba(255, 200, 2, .4);
        }

        .ab-btn-y:hover {
            background: var(--yellow-dk);
            transform: translateY(-2px);
        }

        .ab-btn-w {
            background: transparent;
            color: #fff;
            padding: 14px 34px;
            border-radius: 100px;
            font-weight: 700;
            font-size: .95rem;
            border: 2px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, .3);
            text-decoration: none;
            transition: all .3s;
        }

        .ab-btn-w:hover {
            border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, .7);
            background: rgba(255, 255, 255, .08);
        }

        /* ============ RESPONSIVE ============ */
        @media (max-width: 1024px) {
            .ab-story-grid {
                grid-template-columns: 1fr;
                gap: 56px;
            }

            .ab-img-box img {
                height: 360px;
            }

            .ab-badge-tl {
                top: -10px;
                left: 0;
            }

            .ab-badge-br {
                bottom: 14px;
                right: 0;
            }

            .ab-values-grid {
                grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
            }

            .ab-tl-grid {
                grid-template-columns: 1fr;
            }

            .ab-tl-line,
            .ab-tl-dot-row,
            .ab-tl-sp {
                display: none;
            }

            .ab-tl-l,
            .ab-tl-r {
                grid-column: 1;
                text-align: left;
                align-items: flex-start;
                padding-left: 20px;
                border-left: 3px solid var(--yellow);
                padding-bottom: 36px;
            }

            .ab-tl-card {
                max-width: 100%;
            }
        }

        @media (max-width: 700px) {
            .ab-hero {
                height: 360px;
            }

            .ab-stats-inner {
                grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
            }

            .ab-stat-item:nth-child(2) {
                border-right: none;
            }

            .ab-stat-item:nth-child(3) {
                border-right: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, .08);
            }

            .ab-values-grid {
                grid-template-columns: 1fr;
            }

            .ab-quote-card {
                padding: 36px 20px;
            }

            .ab-inline-stats {
                flex-direction: column;
                gap: 16px;
            }

            .ab-is-sep {
                display: none;
            }

            .ab-story-grid {
                gap: 40px;
            }
        }