/*
Theme Name: Meridian
Theme URI: https://example.com/meridian
Author: Antigravity
Author URI: https://example.com
Description: Meridian — Premium News Portal WordPress Theme.
Version: 1.0.0
License: GNU General Public License v2 or later
License URI: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html
Text Domain: meridian
*/

*, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }

:root {
  --ink: #0D0D0D;
  --ink-mid: #3A3A3A;
  --ink-muted: #767676;
  --ink-faint: #B0B0B0;
  --paper: #FAFAF8;
  --paper-warm: #F3F1EC;
  --accent: #C8332A;
  --accent-dark: #9E2820;
  --gold: #D4A437;
  --border: #E2E0DA;
  --border-strong: #C5C3BD;

  --ff-display: 'Playfair Display', Georgia, serif;
  --ff-body: 'DM Sans', system-ui, sans-serif;

  --max-w: 1260px;
  --gutter: clamp(1rem, 4vw, 2.5rem);

  --transition: 0.22s cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);
}

html { scroll-behavior: smooth; }

body {
  font-family: var(--ff-body);
  background: var(--paper);
  color: var(--ink);
  font-size: 16px;
  line-height: 1.6;
  overflow-x: hidden;
  -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
}

img { display: block; width: 100%; height: 100%; object-fit: cover; }
a { color: inherit; text-decoration: none; }
ul { list-style: none; }

/* ── UTILITY ── */
.container { max-width: var(--max-w); margin: 0 auto; padding: 0 var(--gutter); }
.sr-only { position: absolute; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; clip: rect(0,0,0,0); white-space: nowrap; }
.tag {
  display: inline-block;
  font-size: 10px;
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  padding: 4px 10px;
  background: var(--accent);
  color: #fff;
  border-radius: 2px;
}
.tag.world { background: #1A5B8A; }
.tag.culture { background: #4D7C3A; }
.tag.tech { background: #6B4C9A; }
.tag.business { background: #C87532; }
.tag.science { background: #2A8A7A; }

.overline {
  font-family: var(--ff-body);
  font-size: 10px;
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 0.14em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--ink-muted);
}

/* ── TOPBAR ── */
.topbar {
  background: var(--ink);
  color: #fff;
  padding: 7px 0;
  font-size: 11px;
  letter-spacing: 0.04em;
}
.topbar .inner {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  gap: 1rem;
}
.topbar .date { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.55); }
.topbar .ticker-wrap {
  flex: 1;
  overflow: hidden;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 1rem;
}
.topbar .ticker-label {
  background: var(--accent);
  color: #fff;
  font-size: 9px;
  font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  padding: 2px 8px;
  flex-shrink: 0;
  border-radius: 2px;
}
.topbar .ticker {
  display: flex;
  gap: 3rem;
  animation: ticker 28s linear infinite;
  white-space: nowrap;
  color: rgba(255,255,255,0.7);
}
@keyframes ticker {
  0% { transform: translateX(0); }
  100% { transform: translateX(-50%); }
}
.topbar .social-links { display: flex; gap: 14px; }
.topbar .social-links a { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.5); transition: color var(--transition); font-size: 12px; }
.topbar .social-links a:hover { color: #fff; }

/* ── HEADER ── */
.site-header {
  background: var(--paper);
  border-bottom: 2px solid var(--ink);
  position: sticky;
  top: 0;
  z-index: 100;
  backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
  background: rgba(250,250,248,0.96);
}
.header-inner {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  padding: 0 var(--gutter);
  max-width: var(--max-w);
  margin: 0 auto;
  height: 68px;
  gap: 2rem;
}
.logo {
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-size: clamp(1.6rem, 3vw, 2.2rem);
  font-weight: 900;
  letter-spacing: -0.02em;
  color: var(--ink);
  flex-shrink: 0;
}
.logo span { color: var(--accent); }

.main-nav { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 0; flex: 1; justify-content: center; }
.main-nav a {
  padding: 0 16px;
  height: 68px;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  font-size: 12px;
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--ink-mid);
  border-bottom: 3px solid transparent;
  transition: color var(--transition), border-color var(--transition);
}
.main-nav a:hover, .main-nav a.active {
  color: var(--ink);
  border-bottom-color: var(--accent);
}

.header-actions { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 1rem; flex-shrink: 0; }
.search-btn {
  background: none;
  border: none;
  cursor: pointer;
  padding: 8px;
  color: var(--ink-mid);
  transition: color var(--transition);
}
.search-btn:hover { color: var(--ink); }
.subscribe-btn {
  background: var(--ink);
  color: var(--paper);
  border: none;
  padding: 9px 20px;
  font-family: var(--ff-body);
  font-size: 11px;
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  cursor: pointer;
  border-radius: 2px;
  transition: background var(--transition);
}
.subscribe-btn:hover { background: var(--accent); }

/* ── HERO ── */
.hero-section {
  background: var(--ink);
  color: #fff;
  min-height: 90vh;
  display: grid;
  grid-template-rows: auto 1fr;
  overflow: hidden;
  position: relative;
}

.hero-date-bar {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  padding: 14px var(--gutter);
  max-width: var(--max-w);
  margin: 0 auto;
  width: 100%;
  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1);
  font-size: 11px;
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  color: rgba(255,255,255,0.4);
}

.hero-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr 400px;
  grid-template-rows: 1fr auto;
  max-width: var(--max-w);
  margin: 0 auto;
  width: 100%;
  padding: 0 var(--gutter);
  gap: 0;
  flex: 1;
}

/* Main feature story */
.hero-main {
  grid-row: 1 / 3;
  position: relative;
  padding: 3rem 3rem 3rem 0;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  justify-content: flex-end;
  border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1);
  overflow: hidden;
}
.hero-main::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, transparent 40%, rgba(200,51,42,0.12) 100%);
  pointer-events: none;
}

.hero-main .bg-number {
  position: absolute;
  top: -0.1em;
  right: -0.05em;
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-size: clamp(12rem, 22vw, 22rem);
  font-weight: 900;
  line-height: 1;
  color: rgba(255,255,255,0.03);
  pointer-events: none;
  user-select: none;
  z-index: 0;
}

.hero-main .content { position: relative; z-index: 1; }
.hero-main .issue { color: var(--gold); font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 0.2em; text-transform: uppercase; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px; }
.hero-main .issue::before { content: ''; display: block; width: 30px; height: 1px; background: var(--gold); }

.hero-headline {
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-size: clamp(2.4rem, 5vw, 4.8rem);
  font-weight: 900;
  line-height: 1.05;
  letter-spacing: -0.02em;
  color: #fff;
  margin-bottom: 1.4rem;
  max-width: 680px;
}
.hero-headline em { font-style: italic; color: var(--gold); }

.hero-deck {
  font-size: clamp(0.95rem, 1.4vw, 1.1rem);
  line-height: 1.65;
  color: rgba(255,255,255,0.6);
  max-width: 520px;
  margin-bottom: 2rem;
  font-weight: 300;
}

.hero-byline {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 1rem;
}
.byline-avatar {
  width: 36px;
  height: 36px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: var(--accent);
  flex-shrink: 0;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  font-size: 12px;
  font-weight: 600;
  color: #fff;
}
.byline-info { font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4; }
.byline-name { font-weight: 500; color: #fff; }
.byline-meta { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.4); }

.hero-read-more {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 10px;
  font-size: 11px;
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #fff;
  border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.25);
  padding: 12px 22px;
  border-radius: 2px;
  transition: all var(--transition);
  margin-top: 2rem;
  align-self: flex-start;
}
.hero-read-more:hover {
  background: var(--accent);
  border-color: var(--accent);
}
.hero-read-more svg { transition: transform var(--transition); }
.hero-read-more:hover svg { transform: translateX(4px); }

/* Hero sidebar stories */
.hero-side {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  padding-left: 2.5rem;
}
.hero-side-story {
  padding: 2rem 0;
  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.08);
  flex: 1;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  justify-content: center;
}
.hero-side-story:last-child { border-bottom: none; }
.hero-side-story .tag { margin-bottom: 0.9rem; }
.side-headline {
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-size: clamp(1.05rem, 1.6vw, 1.3rem);
  font-weight: 700;
  line-height: 1.25;
  color: #fff;
  margin-bottom: 0.6rem;
  transition: color var(--transition);
}
.hero-side-story:hover .side-headline { color: var(--gold); }
.side-meta { font-size: 11px; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.35); display: flex; gap: 14px; }

/* Hero scroll line */
.hero-scroll {
  position: absolute;
  bottom: 2rem;
  left: 50%;
  transform: translateX(-50%);
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 8px;
  color: rgba(255,255,255,0.3);
  font-size: 9px;
  letter-spacing: 0.15em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}
.scroll-line {
  width: 1px;
  height: 48px;
  background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(255,255,255,0), rgba(255,255,255,0.3));
  animation: scrollPulse 2s ease-in-out infinite;
}
@keyframes scrollPulse {
  0%, 100% { opacity: 0.4; transform: scaleY(1); }
  50% { opacity: 1; transform: scaleY(1.1); }
}

/* ── SECTION DIVIDER ── */
.section-header {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 1.2rem;
  margin-bottom: 2rem;
}
.section-header h2 {
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-size: clamp(1.3rem, 2.5vw, 1.8rem);
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: -0.01em;
  white-space: nowrap;
}
.section-header .rule {
  flex: 1;
  height: 1px;
  background: var(--border);
}
.section-header .view-all {
  font-size: 11px;
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--ink-muted);
  transition: color var(--transition);
  white-space: nowrap;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 6px;
}
.section-header .view-all:hover { color: var(--accent); }

/* ── SECTION PADS ── */
.section { padding: 4rem 0; }
.section + .section { border-top: 1px solid var(--border); }

/* ── CARD GRID ── */
.stories-grid {
  display: grid;
  gap: 0;
}
.stories-grid.col-4 { grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr); }
.stories-grid.col-3 { grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); }
.stories-grid.col-2 { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }

.story-card {
  padding: 1.6rem;
  border-right: 1px solid var(--border);
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
  transition: background var(--transition);
}
.story-card:hover { background: var(--paper-warm); }
.stories-grid.col-4 .story-card:nth-child(4n) { border-right: none; }
.stories-grid.col-3 .story-card:nth-child(3n) { border-right: none; }
.stories-grid.col-2 .story-card:nth-child(2n) { border-right: none; }

.card-image {
  aspect-ratio: 16/9;
  background: var(--paper-warm);
  margin-bottom: 1.1rem;
  overflow: hidden;
  position: relative;
}
.card-image img {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  object-fit: cover;
}
.card-image .img-placeholder {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-style: italic;
  color: var(--border-strong);
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  background: var(--paper-warm);
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
}
.card-image .img-placeholder::after {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, transparent 50%, var(--border) 100%);
  opacity: 0.3;
}

.card-tag-row { margin-bottom: 0.7rem; }
.card-title {
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-size: clamp(1rem, 1.5vw, 1.2rem);
  font-weight: 700;
  line-height: 1.3;
  letter-spacing: -0.01em;
  color: var(--ink);
  margin-bottom: 0.6rem;
  transition: color var(--transition);
}
.story-card:hover .card-title { color: var(--accent); }
.card-excerpt {
  font-size: 13.5px;
  line-height: 1.6;
  color: var(--ink-muted);
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
  display: -webkit-box;
  -webkit-line-clamp: 3;
  -webkit-box-orient: vertical;
  overflow: hidden;
}
.card-meta { font-size: 11px; color: var(--ink-faint); display: flex; gap: 12px; align-items: center; }
.card-meta .dot { width: 3px; height: 3px; border-radius: 50%; background: var(--border-strong); flex-shrink: 0; }

/* ── FEATURED STRIP ── */
.featured-strip {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1.6fr 1fr;
  gap: 0;
  border: 1px solid var(--border);
}
.feature-main {
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
  min-height: 440px;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  justify-content: flex-end;
  padding: 2.5rem;
  background: var(--ink);
  border-right: 1px solid var(--border);
}
.feature-bg-pattern {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  opacity: 0.04;
  background-image: repeating-linear-gradient(
    45deg,
    #fff 0, #fff 1px,
    transparent 0, transparent 50%
  );
  background-size: 10px 10px;
}
.feature-main .content { position: relative; z-index: 1; }
.feature-main .tag { margin-bottom: 1.2rem; }
.feature-main h2 {
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-size: clamp(1.6rem, 3vw, 2.6rem);
  font-weight: 900;
  line-height: 1.1;
  color: #fff;
  letter-spacing: -0.02em;
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
}
.feature-main p {
  font-size: 14.5px;
  line-height: 1.65;
  color: rgba(255,255,255,0.6);
  margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
  font-weight: 300;
}

.feature-sidebar { display: flex; flex-direction: column; }
.feature-sidebar-item {
  padding: 1.6rem;
  flex: 1;
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
  transition: background var(--transition);
  cursor: pointer;
}
.feature-sidebar-item:last-child { border-bottom: none; }
.feature-sidebar-item:hover { background: var(--paper-warm); }
.feature-sidebar-item .tag { margin-bottom: 0.8rem; }
.feature-sidebar-item h3 {
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-size: 1.05rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  line-height: 1.3;
  color: var(--ink);
  margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
  transition: color var(--transition);
}
.feature-sidebar-item:hover h3 { color: var(--accent); }
.feature-sidebar-item .meta { font-size: 11px; color: var(--ink-faint); }

/* ── OPINION STRIP ── */
.opinion-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  gap: 0;
  border-top: 3px solid var(--gold);
  border-left: 1px solid var(--border);
  border-right: 1px solid var(--border);
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
}
.opinion-card {
  padding: 2rem;
  border-right: 1px solid var(--border);
  transition: background var(--transition);
}
.opinion-card:last-child { border-right: none; }
.opinion-card:hover { background: var(--paper-warm); }
.opinion-author {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 12px;
  margin-bottom: 1.2rem;
}
.author-avatar {
  width: 44px;
  height: 44px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  flex-shrink: 0;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 14px;
  color: #fff;
}
.author-info .name { font-weight: 500; font-size: 13px; }
.author-info .title { font-size: 11px; color: var(--ink-muted); }
.opinion-card blockquote {
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-style: italic;
  font-size: 1.1rem;
  line-height: 1.5;
  color: var(--ink);
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
}
.opinion-card blockquote::before { content: '\201C'; font-size: 1.8rem; color: var(--gold); line-height: 0; vertical-align: -0.3em; margin-right: 2px; }
.opinion-link { font-size: 11px; color: var(--accent); font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 0.08em; text-transform: uppercase; display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 6px; }

/* ── NEWSLETTER BAR ── */
.newsletter-bar {
  background: var(--ink);
  color: #fff;
  padding: 3.5rem 0;
}
.newsletter-inner {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 4rem;
}
.newsletter-copy { flex: 1; }
.newsletter-copy .overline { color: var(--gold); margin-bottom: 0.6rem; }
.newsletter-copy h2 {
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-size: clamp(1.4rem, 2.5vw, 2rem);
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #fff;
  margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
}
.newsletter-copy p { font-size: 14px; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.5); font-weight: 300; }
.newsletter-form {
  display: flex;
  gap: 0;
  flex-shrink: 0;
  width: 420px;
}
.newsletter-form input {
  flex: 1;
  padding: 14px 18px;
  background: rgba(255,255,255,0.06);
  border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.15);
  border-right: none;
  color: #fff;
  font-family: var(--ff-body);
  font-size: 14px;
  outline: none;
  border-radius: 2px 0 0 2px;
  transition: border-color var(--transition);
}
.newsletter-form input::placeholder { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.3); }
.newsletter-form input:focus { border-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.4); }
.newsletter-form button {
  padding: 14px 24px;
  background: var(--accent);
  border: none;
  color: #fff;
  font-family: var(--ff-body);
  font-size: 11px;
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  cursor: pointer;
  border-radius: 0 2px 2px 0;
  transition: background var(--transition);
  white-space: nowrap;
}
.newsletter-form button:hover { background: var(--accent-dark); }

/* ── SIDEBAR LAYOUT ── */
.content-sidebar-layout {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr 300px;
  gap: 3.5rem;
  align-items: start;
}

/* ── SIDEBAR ── */
.sidebar { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 2.5rem; }
.sidebar-widget {}
.sidebar-widget h3 {
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-size: 1rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.02em;
  color: var(--ink);
  margin-bottom: 1.2rem;
  padding-bottom: 0.7rem;
  border-bottom: 2px solid var(--ink);
}
.trending-list { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 0; }
.trending-item {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 32px 1fr;
  gap: 14px;
  align-items: start;
  padding: 1rem 0;
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
  transition: background var(--transition);
  cursor: pointer;
}
.trending-item:last-child { border-bottom: none; }
.trending-item:hover .trending-title { color: var(--accent); }
.trending-num {
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-size: 1.6rem;
  font-weight: 900;
  color: var(--border);
  line-height: 1;
  user-select: none;
}
.trending-title { font-size: 13.5px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4; transition: color var(--transition); }
.trending-cat { font-size: 11px; color: var(--ink-faint); margin-top: 3px; }

.topics-cloud { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 8px; }
.topic-pill {
  display: inline-block;
  padding: 6px 14px;
  border: 1px solid var(--border);
  font-size: 12px;
  color: var(--ink-mid);
  border-radius: 2px;
  transition: all var(--transition);
  cursor: pointer;
}
.topic-pill:hover {
  background: var(--ink);
  color: #fff;
  border-color: var(--ink);
}

/* ── REGIONS STRIP ── */
.regions-strip {
  background: var(--paper-warm);
  border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
  padding: 1.2rem 0;
  overflow: hidden;
}
.regions-inner {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0;
  overflow-x: auto;
  scrollbar-width: none;
  -ms-overflow-style: none;
}
.regions-inner::-webkit-scrollbar { display: none; }
.region-link {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 8px;
  padding: 0 22px;
  font-size: 11px;
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--ink-muted);
  border-right: 1px solid var(--border);
  white-space: nowrap;
  transition: color var(--transition);
}
.region-link:first-child { padding-left: 0; }
.region-link:hover { color: var(--accent); }
.region-dot { width: 6px; height: 6px; border-radius: 50%; flex-shrink: 0; }

/* ── PHOTO ESSAY ── */
.photo-mosaic {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 2fr 1fr;
  grid-template-rows: 280px 280px;
  gap: 4px;
  margin-top: 1.5rem;
}
.photo-cell {
  background: var(--paper-warm);
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
}
.photo-cell.tall { grid-row: span 2; }
.photo-label {
  position: absolute;
  bottom: 0;
  left: 0;
  right: 0;
  padding: 1rem;
  background: linear-gradient(to top, rgba(0,0,0,0.7) 0%, transparent 100%);
  color: #fff;
  font-size: 12px;
  font-weight: 300;
}
.photo-placeholder {
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-style: italic;
  color: var(--border-strong);
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  opacity: 0.6;
}

/* ── FOOTER ── */
.site-footer {
  background: var(--ink);
  color: #fff;
  padding-top: 4rem;
}
.footer-top {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 280px 1fr;
  gap: 4rem;
  padding-bottom: 3rem;
  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.08);
}
.footer-brand {}
.footer-logo {
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-size: 2rem;
  font-weight: 900;
  letter-spacing: -0.02em;
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
}
.footer-logo span { color: var(--accent); }
.footer-tagline { font-size: 13px; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.4); line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; font-weight: 300; }
.footer-social { display: flex; gap: 14px; }
.footer-social a {
  width: 34px;
  height: 34px;
  border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.15);
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  font-size: 12px;
  color: rgba(255,255,255,0.5);
  border-radius: 2px;
  transition: all var(--transition);
}
.footer-social a:hover { background: var(--accent); border-color: var(--accent); color: #fff; }

.footer-nav-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr);
  gap: 2rem;
}
.footer-nav-col h4 {
  font-size: 10px;
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 0.15em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: rgba(255,255,255,0.3);
  margin-bottom: 1.2rem;
}
.footer-nav-col ul { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 0.7rem; }
.footer-nav-col ul li a {
  font-size: 13px;
  color: rgba(255,255,255,0.55);
  transition: color var(--transition);
}
.footer-nav-col ul li a:hover { color: #fff; }

.footer-bottom {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  padding: 1.4rem 0;
  font-size: 11px;
  color: rgba(255,255,255,0.25);
}
.footer-bottom-links { display: flex; gap: 1.5rem; }
.footer-bottom-links a { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.25); transition: color var(--transition); }
.footer-bottom-links a:hover { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.6); }

/* ── HERO ANIMATION ── */
@keyframes fadeUp {
  from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(28px); }
  to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
}
@keyframes fadeIn {
  from { opacity: 0; }
  to { opacity: 1; }
}

.hero-main .issue { animation: fadeUp 0.7s ease both 0.1s; }
.hero-headline { animation: fadeUp 0.7s ease both 0.25s; }
.hero-deck { animation: fadeUp 0.7s ease both 0.4s; }
.hero-byline { animation: fadeUp 0.7s ease both 0.52s; }
.hero-read-more { animation: fadeUp 0.7s ease both 0.62s; }
.hero-side { animation: fadeIn 0.9s ease both 0.3s; }
.hero-scroll { animation: fadeIn 1.2s ease both 1s; }

/* ── RESPONSIVE ── */
@media (max-width: 1024px) {
  .hero-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .hero-main { padding: 2.5rem 0; border-right: none; }
  .hero-side { padding-left: 0; border-top: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1); flex-direction: row; overflow-x: auto; gap: 0; }
  .hero-side-story { padding: 1.5rem; border-bottom: none; border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.08); min-width: 250px; }
  .stories-grid.col-4 { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
  .stories-grid.col-4 .story-card:nth-child(4n) { border-right: 1px solid var(--border); }
  .stories-grid.col-4 .story-card:nth-child(2n) { border-right: none; }
  .content-sidebar-layout { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .footer-top { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .footer-nav-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
  .opinion-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .opinion-card { border-right: none; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); }
  .opinion-card:last-child { border-bottom: none; }
  .featured-strip { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .newsletter-inner { flex-direction: column; align-items: flex-start; gap: 2rem; }
  .newsletter-form { width: 100%; max-width: 480px; }
}

@media (max-width: 640px) {
  .stories-grid.col-4, .stories-grid.col-3, .stories-grid.col-2 { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .story-card { border-right: none; }
  .main-nav { display: none; }
  .topbar .ticker-wrap { display: none; }
  .footer-nav-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .photo-mosaic { grid-template-columns: 1fr; grid-template-rows: auto; }
  .photo-cell.tall { grid-row: span 1; height: 240px; }
  .photo-cell { height: 200px; }
}

/* ── LIVE BADGE ── */
.live-badge {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 6px;
  background: var(--accent);
  color: #fff;
  font-size: 9px;
  font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: 0.15em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  padding: 4px 10px;
  border-radius: 2px;
}
.live-dot {
  width: 6px;
  height: 6px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: #fff;
  animation: pulse 1.4s ease-in-out infinite;
}
@keyframes pulse {
  0%, 100% { opacity: 1; transform: scale(1); }
  50% { opacity: 0.5; transform: scale(0.7); }
}

/* ── VIDEO CARD ── */
.video-card {
  position: relative;
  aspect-ratio: 16/9;
  background: var(--ink);
  overflow: hidden;
  cursor: pointer;
}
.video-card::after {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background: linear-gradient(to top, rgba(0,0,0,0.75) 0%, transparent 60%);
}
.play-btn {
  position: absolute;
  top: 50%;
  left: 50%;
  transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
  width: 54px;
  height: 54px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: rgba(255,255,255,0.15);
  border: 2px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.5);
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  z-index: 10;
  transition: all var(--transition);
  backdrop-filter: blur(4px);
}
.video-card:hover .play-btn {
  background: var(--accent);
  border-color: var(--accent);
  transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(1.08);
}
.play-btn svg { margin-left: 3px; }
.video-overlay {
  position: absolute;
  bottom: 0;
  left: 0;
  right: 0;
  padding: 1.2rem;
  z-index: 10;
}
.video-overlay .tag { margin-bottom: 0.5rem; }
.video-title {
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-size: 1rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #fff;
  line-height: 1.3;
}
.video-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  gap: 1.5rem;
  margin-top: 0;
}

/* Grid border helper */
.grid-bordered {
  border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
  border-left: 1px solid var(--border);
}
.grid-bordered .story-card {
  border-top: none;
  border-left: none;
}

/* ── SINGLE POST & PAGE CUSTOM ADDITIONS ── */
.meridian-single-header {
  padding: 4rem 0 2rem;
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
  margin-bottom: 3rem;
}
.meridian-single-title {
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-size: clamp(2rem, 5vw, 3.5rem);
  font-weight: 900;
  line-height: 1.1;
  letter-spacing: -0.02em;
  margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
}
.meridian-single-meta {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 1.5rem;
}
.meridian-single-content {
  font-size: 18px;
  line-height: 1.8;
  color: var(--ink-mid);
}
.meridian-single-content p {
  margin-bottom: 1.8rem;
}
.meridian-single-content h2, .meridian-single-content h3 {
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-weight: 700;
  color: var(--ink);
  margin: 2.5rem 0 1rem;
}
.meridian-single-content h2 { font-size: clamp(1.4rem, 3vw, 2rem); }
.meridian-single-content h3 { font-size: clamp(1.2rem, 2vw, 1.5rem); }
.meridian-single-content blockquote {
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-style: italic;
  font-size: 1.3rem;
  border-left: 3px solid var(--gold);
  padding-left: 1.5rem;
  margin: 2.5rem 0;
  color: var(--ink);
}
.meridian-single-content figure {
  margin: 2.5rem 0;
}
.meridian-single-content figcaption {
  font-size: 12px;
  color: var(--ink-muted);
  margin-top: 0.5rem;
}
.meridian-archive-title {
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  font-size: clamp(1.8rem, 4vw, 2.8rem);
  margin-bottom: 2rem;
  padding-bottom: 1rem;
  border-bottom: 2px solid var(--ink);
}