diff --git a/ecosystem.config.js b/ecosystem.config.js
index ce7e96f..d113c88 100644
--- a/ecosystem.config.js
+++ b/ecosystem.config.js
@@ -15,10 +15,10 @@ module.exports = {
         NODE_ENV: 'production',
         PORT: '3000',
 
-        // inlined from .env
+        // inlined env (keep in sync with .env used during `npm run build`)
         NEXT_PUBLIC_API_BASE_URL: 'https://api.profit-planet.partners',
-        NEXT_PUBLIC_MODE: 'development',
-        NEXT_PUBLIC_I18N_DEBUG_MODE: 'true',
+        NEXT_PUBLIC_MODE: 'production',
+        NEXT_PUBLIC_I18N_DEBUG_MODE: 'false',
         NEXT_PUBLIC_GEO_FALLBACK_COUNTRY: 'false',
 
         NEXT_PUBLIC_SHOW_SHOP: 'false',
diff --git a/src/app/dashboard/page.tsx b/src/app/dashboard/page.tsx
index fe61ca9..947e1f6 100644
--- a/src/app/dashboard/page.tsx
+++ b/src/app/dashboard/page.tsx
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ import {
   UsersIcon,
   UserCircleIcon,
   StarIcon,
-  HeartIcon,
   LinkIcon
 } from '@heroicons/react/24/outline'
 
@@ -145,37 +144,6 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
     }
   ]
 
-  // New: Latest news/articles (replace stats)
-  const news = [
-    {
-      id: 'n1',
-      title: 'Profit Planet launches Referral Management',
-      excerpt: 'Create, track, and manage your referral links with real‑time usage and status.',
-      date: '2025-01-08',
-      category: 'Product Update',
-      href: '/news/referral-management',
-      image: null as string | null,
-    },
-    {
-      id: 'n2',
-      title: 'Tips to maximize referral conversions',
-      excerpt: 'Learn 7 quick optimizations to improve referral performance and user onboarding.',
-      date: '2025-01-05',
-      category: 'Guides',
-      href: '/news/maximize-referrals',
-      image: null,
-    },
-    {
-      id: 'n3',
-      title: 'Community spotlight: January',
-      excerpt: 'A look at the most inspiring community stories and achievements of the month.',
-      date: '2025-01-02',
-      category: 'Community',
-      href: '/news/community-spotlight-jan',
-      image: null,
-    },
-  ]
-
   const content = (
     <div className="relative z-10 flex-1 min-h-0">
       <PageLayout className="bg-transparent text-gray-900">
@@ -192,44 +160,6 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
                 </p>
               </div>
 
-              {/* News Section (replaces Account setup + Stats Grid) */}
-              <div className="mb-10">
-                <h2 className="text-xl font-semibold text-gray-900 mb-4">Latest News & Articles</h2>
-                <div className="grid grid-cols-1 gap-6 sm:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3">
-                  {news.map(item => (
-                    <article key={item.id} className="group relative overflow-hidden rounded-xl bg-white border border-gray-200 shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow">
-                      {/* Image/placeholder */}
-                      <div className="aspect-[16/9] w-full bg-gradient-to-br from-gray-100 to-gray-200" />
-                      <div className="p-5">
-                        <div className="mb-2 flex items-center gap-2">
-                          <span className="inline-flex items-center rounded-full bg-amber-50 px-2 py-0.5 text-xs font-medium text-amber-700 ring-1 ring-amber-200">
-                            {item.category}
-                          </span>
-                          <span className="text-xs text-gray-500">{new Date(item.date).toLocaleDateString()}</span>
-                        </div>
-                        <h3 className="text-base font-semibold text-gray-900 group-hover:text-[#8D6B1D] transition-colors">
-                          <button
-                            onClick={() => (window.location.href = item.href)}
-                            className="text-left w-full"
-                          >
-                            {item.title}
-                          </button>
-                        </h3>
-                        <p className="mt-2 text-sm text-gray-600 line-clamp-3">{item.excerpt}</p>
-                        <div className="mt-4">
-                          <button
-                            onClick={() => (window.location.href = item.href)}
-                            className="text-sm font-medium text-[#8D6B1D] hover:text-[#7A5E1A]"
-                          >
-                            Read more →
-                          </button>
-                        </div>
-                      </div>
-                    </article>
-                  ))}
-                </div>
-              </div>
-
               {/* Quick Actions */}
               <div className="mb-8">
                 <h2 className="text-xl font-semibold text-gray-900 mb-4">Quick Actions</h2>
@@ -301,45 +231,6 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
                   </div>
                 </div>
               </div>
-
-              {/* Recent Activity */}
-              <div className="bg-white rounded-lg shadow-sm border border-gray-200 p-6">
-                <h2 className="text-xl font-semibold text-gray-900 mb-4">Recent Activity</h2>
-                <div className="space-y-4">
-                  <div className="flex items-center py-3 border-b border-gray-100 last:border-b-0">
-                    <div className="bg-green-100 rounded-full p-2">
-                      <ShoppingBagIcon className="h-5 w-5 text-green-600" />
-                    </div>
-                    <div className="ml-4 flex-1">
-                      <p className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-900">Order completed</p>
-                      <p className="text-sm text-gray-600">Eco-friendly water bottle</p>
-                    </div>
-                    <span className="text-sm text-gray-500">2 days ago</span>
-                  </div>
-                  
-                  <div className="flex items-center py-3 border-b border-gray-100 last:border-b-0">
-                    <div className="bg-blue-100 rounded-full p-2">
-                      <HeartIcon className="h-5 w-5 text-blue-600" />
-                    </div>
-                    <div className="ml-4 flex-1">
-                      <p className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-900">Added to favorites</p>
-                      <p className="text-sm text-gray-600">Sustainable backpack</p>
-                    </div>
-                    <span className="text-sm text-gray-500">1 week ago</span>
-                  </div>
-                  
-                  <div className="flex items-center py-3">
-                    <div className="bg-purple-100 rounded-full p-2">
-                      <UsersIcon className="h-5 w-5 text-purple-600" />
-                    </div>
-                    <div className="ml-4 flex-1">
-                      <p className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-900">Joined community</p>
-                      <p className="text-sm text-gray-600">Eco Warriors Group</p>
-                    </div>
-                    <span className="text-sm text-gray-500">2 weeks ago</span>
-                  </div>
-                </div>
-              </div>
             </div>
           </div>
         </main>