/*
 * MEI Theme — Main Stylesheet v2.0
 * The Middle East Insider
 * Identity: WSJ structure + Middle Eastern warmth
 * ================================================ */

/* ================================================
   DESIGN TOKENS
   ================================================ */
:root {
    --mei-navy:       #0f1f2e;
    --mei-teal:       #1a6b5a;
    --mei-teal-light: #e8f4f0;
    --mei-gold:       #c8964e;
    --mei-gold-light: #f5ead8;
    --mei-cream:      #f5f0e8;
    --mei-parchment:  #faf6ef;
    --mei-burgundy:   #8b1a3a;
    --mei-terracotta: #c75b39;
    --mei-ink:        #1a1a1a;
    --mei-text:       #2d2d2d;
    --mei-muted:      #6b7280;
    --mei-border:     #d8cfc0;
    --mei-border-light:#e8e2d8;
    --mei-serif:      'Playfair Display', Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;
    --mei-sans:       'Source Sans 3', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', sans-serif;
}


/* ================================================
   RESET & BASE
   ================================================ */

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

html {
    font-size: 16px;
    -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;
    scroll-behavior: smooth;
    overflow-y: scroll;           /* Prevent layout shift from scrollbar appearing/disappearing */
}

body {
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    font-size: 1rem;
    line-height: 1.6;
    color: var(--mei-text);
    background-color: var(--mei-parchment);
    -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
    -moz-osx-font-smoothing: grayscale;
}

a {
    color: var(--mei-ink);
    text-decoration: none;
    transition: color 0.15s ease;
}

a:hover {
    color: var(--mei-teal);
    text-decoration: underline;
}

img {
    max-width: 100%;
    height: auto;
    display: block;
}


/* ================================================
   SITE WRAPPER & CONTAINER
   ================================================ */

.mei-site {
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    min-height: 100vh;
}

.mei-site-content {
    flex: 1 0 auto;              /* Push footer down, prevent short pages from collapsing */
}

.mei-container {
    width: 100%;
    margin: 0 auto;
    padding: 0 clamp(20px, 3vw, 60px);  /* Fluid padding: fills screen with small breathing room */
}


/* ================================================
   MARKET TICKER BAR
   ================================================ */

.mei-ticker-bar {
    background: var(--mei-navy);
    color: #d4d4d4;
    font-size: 0.75rem;
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    padding: 6px 0;
    border-bottom: 2px solid var(--mei-gold);
    overflow: hidden;
}

.mei-ticker-inner {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 8px;
}

.mei-ticker-label {
    font-weight: 700;
    color: var(--mei-gold);
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 0.12em;
    font-size: 0.65rem;
    white-space: nowrap;
    padding-right: 12px;
    border-right: 1px solid #2a3a50;
}

.mei-ticker-items {
    display: flex;
    gap: 24px;
    overflow-x: auto;
    scrollbar-width: none;
    flex: 1;
}

.mei-ticker-items::-webkit-scrollbar {
    display: none;
}

.mei-ticker-item {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 6px;
    white-space: nowrap;
}

.ticker-name {
    color: #999;
    font-weight: 400;
}

.ticker-value {
    color: #fff;
    font-weight: 600;
}

.ticker-change {
    font-weight: 600;
    font-size: 0.7rem;
}

.ticker-change.up { color: #22c55e; }
.ticker-change.down { color: #ef4444; }

/* Language toggle in ticker */
.mei-lang-toggle {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 5px;
    color: var(--mei-gold);
    font-size: 0.75rem;
    font-weight: 600;
    white-space: nowrap;
    padding-left: 14px;
    border-left: 1px solid #2a3a50;
    text-decoration: none;
    transition: color 0.2s;
}

.mei-lang-toggle:hover {
    color: #fff;
    text-decoration: none;
}

.mei-lang-icon {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
}

.mei-lang-text {
    letter-spacing: 0.02em;
}


/* ================================================
   HEADER / MASTHEAD
   ================================================ */

.mei-header {
    background: var(--mei-parchment);
    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--mei-ink);
}

.mei-header-top {
    display: flex;
    justify-content: space-between;
    align-items: center;
    padding: 8px 0;
    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--mei-border);
    font-size: 0.8rem;
    color: var(--mei-muted);
}

.mei-header-date {
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    font-size: 0.78rem;
    color: #777;
}

.mei-header-actions {
    display: flex;
    gap: 12px;
}

.mei-header-actions button {
    background: none;
    border: none;
    cursor: pointer;
    color: var(--mei-text);
    padding: 4px;
}

.mei-header-actions button:hover {
    color: var(--mei-teal);
}

/* Masthead with geometric ornaments */
.mei-masthead {
    text-align: center;
    padding: 18px 0 14px;
    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--mei-ink);
    position: relative;
}

/* Geometric star ornament */
.mei-ornament {
    color: var(--mei-gold);
    font-size: 0.85rem;
    letter-spacing: 0.5em;
    line-height: 1;
    margin: 4px 0;
    opacity: 0.6;
}

.mei-site-title {
    font-family: var(--mei-serif);
    font-size: 2.8rem;
    font-weight: 900;
    line-height: 1;
    letter-spacing: -0.02em;
    margin: 0;
}

.mei-site-title a {
    color: var(--mei-ink);
    text-decoration: none;
}

.mei-site-title a:hover {
    text-decoration: none;
    color: var(--mei-ink);
}

.mei-site-tagline {
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    font-size: 0.75rem;
    color: var(--mei-muted);
    margin-top: 3px;
    letter-spacing: 0.18em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    font-weight: 400;
}

/* Primary Navigation */
.mei-primary-nav {
    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--mei-border);
    padding: 0;
}

.mei-nav-menu {
    list-style: none;
    display: flex;
    justify-content: center;
    gap: 0;
    margin: 0;
    padding: 0;
}

.mei-nav-menu li {
    position: relative;
}

.mei-nav-menu li a {
    display: block;
    padding: 10px 16px;
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    font-size: 0.78rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 0.08em;
    color: var(--mei-text);
    text-decoration: none;
    border-bottom: 2px solid transparent;
    transition: border-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease;
}

.mei-nav-menu li a:hover,
.mei-nav-menu li.current-menu-item a {
    color: var(--mei-teal);
    border-bottom-color: var(--mei-gold);
    text-decoration: none;
}

/* Submenu */
.mei-nav-menu li ul {
    display: none;
    position: absolute;
    top: 100%;
    left: 0;
    background: #fff;
    border: 1px solid var(--mei-border);
    list-style: none;
    min-width: 200px;
    z-index: 100;
    padding: 4px 0;
}

.mei-nav-menu li:hover ul {
    display: block;
}

.mei-nav-menu li ul li a {
    padding: 8px 16px;
    font-size: 0.75rem;
    text-transform: none;
    border-bottom: none;
}

.mei-menu-toggle {
    display: none;
}


/* ================================================
   SECTIONS — with geometric divider accents
   ================================================ */

.mei-section {
    padding: 28px 0;
    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--mei-border);
}

.mei-section:last-child {
    border-bottom: none;
}

.mei-section-title {
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    font-size: 0.72rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 0.15em;
    color: var(--mei-ink);
    border-bottom: 2px solid var(--mei-teal);
    padding-bottom: 6px;
    margin-bottom: 20px;
    position: relative;
}

.mei-section-title a {
    color: var(--mei-ink);
    text-decoration: none;
}

.mei-section-title a:hover {
    color: var(--mei-teal);
}

.mei-section-header {
    display: flex;
    justify-content: space-between;
    align-items: flex-end;
    margin-bottom: 20px;
}

.mei-see-all {
    font-size: 0.75rem;
    font-weight: 600;
    color: var(--mei-teal);
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 0.05em;
}

.mei-see-all:hover {
    color: var(--mei-gold);
}

/* Geometric divider between category sections */
.mei-category-section + .mei-category-section::before {
    content: '◇ ◇ ◇';
    display: block;
    text-align: center;
    color: var(--mei-gold);
    font-size: 0.5rem;
    letter-spacing: 0.8em;
    margin: -14px 0 14px;
    opacity: 0.5;
}


/* ================================================
   HOMEPAGE 3-COLUMN GRID
   ================================================ */

.mei-grid-3col {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 1fr 1.5fr 1fr;
    gap: 0;
    align-items: start;
}

.mei-col-main {
    padding-right: 24px;
    border-right: 1px solid var(--mei-border);
}

.mei-col-lead {
    padding: 0 24px;
}

.mei-col-sidebar {
    padding-left: 24px;
    border-left: 1px solid var(--mei-border);
}

.mei-divider {
    height: 1px;
    background: var(--mei-border-light);
    margin: 16px 0;
}


/* ================================================
   WHAT'S NEWS — Left Column (WSJ-style)
   ================================================ */

.mei-whats-news-heading {
    font-family: var(--mei-serif);
    font-size: 1.3rem;
    font-weight: 900;
    color: var(--mei-ink);
    margin-bottom: 16px;
    padding-bottom: 8px;
    border-bottom: 3px solid var(--mei-ink);
}

.mei-wn-section {
    margin-bottom: 20px;
}

.mei-wn-section:last-child {
    margin-bottom: 0;
}

.mei-wn-subheading {
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    font-size: 0.7rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 0.1em;
    color: var(--mei-teal);
    margin-bottom: 10px;
}

.mei-wn-list {
    list-style: none;
    padding: 0;
    margin: 0;
}

.mei-wn-list li {
    position: relative;
    padding-left: 14px;
    padding-bottom: 10px;
    margin-bottom: 10px;
    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--mei-border-light);
    font-family: var(--mei-serif);
    font-size: 0.88rem;
    line-height: 1.35;
}

.mei-wn-list li:last-child {
    border-bottom: none;
    margin-bottom: 0;
    padding-bottom: 0;
}

.mei-wn-list li::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    left: 0;
    top: 6px;
    width: 5px;
    height: 5px;
    background: var(--mei-teal);
    border-radius: 50%;
}

.mei-wn-list li a {
    color: var(--mei-ink);
    font-weight: 700;
}

.mei-wn-list li a:hover {
    text-decoration: underline;
}


/* ================================================
   SECONDARY STORIES — Below Lead (Center Column)
   ================================================ */

.mei-secondary-stories {
    margin-top: 8px;
}

.mei-secondary-story {
    display: flex;
    gap: 16px;
    align-items: flex-start;
    padding: 12px 0;
}

.mei-secondary-thumb {
    flex-shrink: 0;
    width: 120px;
}

.mei-secondary-thumb img {
    width: 120px;
    height: 80px;
    object-fit: cover;
}

.mei-secondary-content {
    flex: 1;
}

.mei-secondary-title {
    font-family: var(--mei-serif);
    font-size: 1rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    line-height: 1.3;
    margin-bottom: 4px;
}

.mei-secondary-title a {
    color: var(--mei-ink);
}

.mei-secondary-title a:hover {
    text-decoration: underline;
}


/* ================================================
   STORY ITEMS
   ================================================ */

.mei-story-item {
    padding: 0;
}

.mei-story-small {
    display: flex;
    gap: 12px;
    align-items: flex-start;
}

.mei-story-title {
    font-family: var(--mei-serif);
    font-size: 1.15rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    line-height: 1.3;
    margin-bottom: 6px;
}

.mei-story-title a { color: var(--mei-ink); }
.mei-story-title a:hover { text-decoration: underline; }

.mei-title-sm { font-size: 0.95rem; }

.mei-story-excerpt {
    font-size: 0.9rem;
    color: #555;
    line-height: 1.5;
    margin-bottom: 6px;
}

.mei-story-meta {
    font-size: 0.72rem;
    color: var(--mei-muted);
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 0.04em;
}

.mei-meta-sep {
    margin: 0 6px;
    color: #ccc;
}

.mei-category-label {
    display: inline-block;
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    font-size: 0.65rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 0.1em;
    color: var(--mei-teal);
    margin-bottom: 4px;
}

.mei-category-label:hover {
    color: var(--mei-gold);
    text-decoration: none;
}


/* ================================================
   LEAD STORY
   ================================================ */

.mei-lead-image {
    margin-bottom: 16px;
    position: relative;
}

.mei-lead-image img {
    width: 100%;
    height: auto;
}

/* Subtle gold corner accent on lead image */
.mei-lead-image::after {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    bottom: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 40px;
    height: 3px;
    background: var(--mei-gold);
}

.mei-lead-title {
    font-family: var(--mei-serif);
    font-size: 2rem;
    font-weight: 900;
    line-height: 1.15;
    margin-bottom: 10px;
}

.mei-lead-title a { color: var(--mei-ink); }
.mei-lead-title a:hover { text-decoration: underline; }

.mei-lead-excerpt {
    font-size: 1rem;
    color: #444;
    line-height: 1.6;
    margin-bottom: 10px;
}

.mei-lead-meta {
    font-size: 0.78rem;
    color: #888;
}

.mei-lead-meta .mei-author {
    font-weight: 600;
    color: #555;
}

.mei-lead-banner {
    margin-top: 24px;
    text-align: center;
}

.mei-lead-banner img {
    width: 100%;
    height: auto;
    border-radius: 8px;
}

.mei-lead-banner a {
    display: block;
}


/* ================================================
   LEAD STORY SLIDESHOW
   ================================================ */

.mei-slideshow {
    position: relative;
}

.mei-slideshow-track {
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.mei-slide {
    display: none;
    animation: meiFadeIn 0.5s ease-in-out;
}

.mei-slide-active {
    display: block;
}

@keyframes meiFadeIn {
    from { opacity: 0; }
    to   { opacity: 1; }
}

.mei-slideshow-controls {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    gap: 12px;
    margin-top: 14px;
    padding-bottom: 6px;
}

.mei-slide-btn {
    background: none;
    border: 1px solid var(--mei-border-light, #ddd);
    color: var(--mei-ink, #1a1a1a);
    font-size: 1.4rem;
    line-height: 1;
    width: 32px;
    height: 32px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    cursor: pointer;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    transition: all 0.2s;
}

.mei-slide-btn:hover {
    background: var(--mei-ink, #1a1a1a);
    color: #fff;
    border-color: var(--mei-ink, #1a1a1a);
}

.mei-slide-dots {
    display: flex;
    gap: 8px;
    align-items: center;
}

.mei-slide-dot {
    width: 8px;
    height: 8px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    background: var(--mei-border-light, #ccc);
    cursor: pointer;
    transition: all 0.25s;
}

.mei-slide-dot:hover {
    background: #999;
}

.mei-dot-active {
    background: var(--mei-gold, #c9a84c);
    width: 10px;
    height: 10px;
}


/* ================================================
   HOMEPAGE SPONSORED AD
   ================================================ */

.mei-homepage-ad {
    margin-top: 24px;
    padding-top: 20px;
    border-top: 1px solid var(--mei-border-light);
}

.mei-ad-label {
    display: inline-block;
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    font-size: 0.6rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 0.12em;
    color: #999;
    margin-bottom: 10px;
}

.mei-ad-link {
    text-decoration: none;
    color: inherit;
    display: block;
}

.mei-ad-link:hover {
    text-decoration: none;
}

.mei-ad-card {
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #0f1923 0%, #1a2a3a 100%);
    border-radius: 10px;
    padding: 20px;
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    gap: 14px;
    transition: transform 0.2s ease, box-shadow 0.2s ease;
    border: 1px solid rgba(16, 185, 129, 0.15);
}

.mei-ad-card:hover {
    transform: translateY(-2px);
    box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);
    border-color: rgba(16, 185, 129, 0.3);
}

.mei-ad-icon {
    flex-shrink: 0;
}

.mei-ad-text {
    flex: 1;
}

.mei-ad-title {
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    font-size: 1.05rem;
    font-weight: 800;
    color: #ffffff;
    margin: 0 0 6px 0;
    letter-spacing: -0.01em;
}

.mei-ad-desc {
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    font-size: 0.82rem;
    color: #94a3b8;
    line-height: 1.55;
    margin: 0;
}

.mei-ad-cta {
    display: inline-block;
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    font-size: 0.78rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: #10B981;
    letter-spacing: 0.02em;
    transition: color 0.2s ease;
}

.mei-ad-card:hover .mei-ad-cta {
    color: #34d399;
}


/* ================================================
   SIDEBAR STORIES
   ================================================ */

.mei-sidebar-heading {
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    font-size: 0.7rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 0.12em;
    color: var(--mei-teal);
    margin-bottom: 16px;
    padding-bottom: 6px;
    border-bottom: 2px solid var(--mei-teal);
}

.mei-sidebar-heading-latest {
    margin-top: 20px;
}

.mei-sidebar-story {
    display: flex;
    gap: 12px;
    align-items: flex-start;
}

.mei-sidebar-story-content { flex: 1; }

.mei-sidebar-title {
    font-family: var(--mei-serif);
    font-size: 0.9rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    line-height: 1.3;
    margin-bottom: 4px;
}

.mei-sidebar-title a { color: var(--mei-ink); }
.mei-sidebar-title a:hover { text-decoration: underline; }

.mei-sidebar-thumb {
    flex-shrink: 0;
    width: 80px;
}

.mei-sidebar-thumb img {
    width: 80px;
    height: 56px;
    object-fit: cover;
}


/* ================================================
   4-COLUMN GRID
   ================================================ */

.mei-grid-4col {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr);
    gap: 20px;
}

.mei-card {
    border-right: 1px solid var(--mei-border-light);
    padding-right: 20px;
}

.mei-card:last-child {
    border-right: none;
    padding-right: 0;
}

.mei-card-image {
    margin-bottom: 10px;
}

.mei-card-image img {
    width: 100%;
    height: auto;
}

.mei-card-title {
    font-family: var(--mei-serif);
    font-size: 0.95rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    line-height: 1.3;
    margin-bottom: 6px;
}

.mei-card-title a { color: var(--mei-ink); }
.mei-card-title a:hover { text-decoration: underline; }

.mei-card-excerpt {
    font-size: 0.85rem;
    color: #555;
    line-height: 1.5;
    margin-bottom: 6px;
}


/* ================================================
   CATEGORY SECTIONS — Lead card + supporting row
   ================================================ */

.mei-cat-feature {
    display: flex;
    gap: 28px;
    align-items: flex-start;
    margin-bottom: 24px;
    padding-bottom: 24px;
    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--mei-border-light);
}

.mei-cat-feature-image {
    flex-shrink: 0;
    width: 380px;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.mei-cat-feature-image img {
    width: 100%;
    aspect-ratio: 3 / 2;
    object-fit: cover;
    display: block;
}

.mei-cat-feature-text {
    flex: 1;
    min-width: 0;
}

.mei-cat-feature-text .mei-category-label {
    margin-bottom: 6px;
}

.mei-cat-feature-title {
    font-family: var(--mei-serif);
    font-size: 1.35rem;
    font-weight: 900;
    line-height: 1.2;
    margin-bottom: 10px;
}

.mei-cat-feature-title a { color: var(--mei-ink); }
.mei-cat-feature-title a:hover { text-decoration: underline; }

.mei-cat-feature-excerpt {
    font-size: 0.9rem;
    color: #555;
    line-height: 1.55;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
}

.mei-cat-feature-meta {
    display: flex;
    gap: 12px;
}

/* Supporting row */
.mei-cat-row {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr);
    gap: 0;
}

.mei-cat-card {
    padding: 0 20px;
    border-left: 1px solid var(--mei-border-light);
}

.mei-cat-card:first-child {
    padding-left: 0;
    border-left: none;
}

.mei-cat-card:last-child {
    padding-right: 0;
}

.mei-cat-card-image {
    margin-bottom: 10px;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.mei-cat-card-image img {
    width: 100%;
    aspect-ratio: 3 / 2;
    object-fit: cover;
    display: block;
}

.mei-cat-card .mei-category-label {
    margin-bottom: 4px;
}

.mei-cat-card-title {
    font-family: var(--mei-serif);
    font-size: 0.92rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    line-height: 1.3;
    margin-bottom: 6px;
}

.mei-cat-card-title a { color: var(--mei-ink); }
.mei-cat-card-title a:hover { text-decoration: underline; }


/* ================================================
   BREADCRUMBS
   ================================================ */

.mei-breadcrumbs {
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    font-size: 0.8rem;
    color: var(--mei-muted);
    padding: 12px 0 8px;
    max-width: 720px;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

.mei-breadcrumb-link {
    color: var(--mei-muted);
    text-decoration: none;
    transition: color 0.15s ease;
}

.mei-breadcrumb-link:hover {
    color: var(--mei-teal);
    text-decoration: underline;
}

.mei-breadcrumb-sep {
    margin: 0 6px;
    color: var(--mei-border);
}

.mei-breadcrumb-current {
    color: var(--mei-text);
    font-weight: 600;
    display: inline-block;
    max-width: 300px;
    overflow: hidden;
    text-overflow: ellipsis;
    white-space: nowrap;
    vertical-align: bottom;
}


/* ================================================
   SINGLE ARTICLE — full-width, no sidebar
   ================================================ */

.mei-article-header {
    padding: 24px 0 20px;
    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--mei-border-light);
    margin-bottom: 20px;
}

.mei-article-title {
    font-family: var(--mei-serif);
    font-size: 2.6rem;
    font-weight: 900;
    line-height: 1.1;
    color: var(--mei-ink);
    margin-bottom: 12px;
}

.mei-article-subtitle {
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    font-size: 1.2rem;
    color: #555;
    line-height: 1.5;
    margin-bottom: 16px;
}

.mei-article-meta {
    font-size: 0.8rem;
    color: #888;
    padding-top: 12px;
    border-top: 1px solid var(--mei-border-light);
}

.mei-article-meta .mei-article-author strong {
    color: var(--mei-text);
}

.mei-article-featured-image {
    margin-bottom: 24px;
}

/* Hide all image captions (AI generation metadata) */
figcaption,
.wp-caption-text,
.mei-image-caption,
.blocks-gallery-caption {
    display: none !important;
}

.mei-article-body {
    padding-bottom: 32px;
}

.mei-article-content {
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    font-size: 1.1rem;
    line-height: 1.85;
    color: var(--mei-text);
}

.mei-article-content p {
    margin-bottom: 1.4rem;
}

/* Drop cap on first paragraph */
.mei-article-content > p:first-child::first-letter {
    font-family: var(--mei-serif);
    font-size: 3.5rem;
    font-weight: 900;
    float: left;
    line-height: 0.8;
    margin: 4px 10px 0 0;
    color: var(--mei-teal);
}

.mei-article-content h2 {
    font-family: var(--mei-serif);
    font-size: 1.6rem;
    margin: 2rem 0 0.8rem;
    color: var(--mei-ink);
}

.mei-article-content h3 {
    font-family: var(--mei-serif);
    font-size: 1.3rem;
    margin: 1.5rem 0 0.6rem;
    color: var(--mei-ink);
}

.mei-article-content blockquote {
    border-left: 3px solid var(--mei-gold);
    padding: 16px 24px;
    margin: 24px 0;
    background: var(--mei-gold-light);
    font-style: italic;
    font-size: 1.15rem;
    color: #444;
    position: relative;
}

/* Arabesque opening quote mark */
.mei-article-content blockquote::before {
    content: '\201C';
    font-family: var(--mei-serif);
    font-size: 3rem;
    color: var(--mei-gold);
    position: absolute;
    top: -8px;
    left: 10px;
    opacity: 0.4;
}

.mei-article-content ul,
.mei-article-content ol {
    margin: 0 0 1.4rem 1.5rem;
}

.mei-article-content a {
    color: var(--mei-teal);
    text-decoration: underline;
    text-underline-offset: 2px;
}

/* Tags — now outside article body, after author bio */
.mei-article-tags {
    padding: 20px 0;
    border-top: 1px solid var(--mei-border-light);
}

.mei-tags-label {
    font-size: 0.75rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--mei-muted);
    margin-right: 8px;
}

.mei-tag {
    display: inline-block;
    font-size: 0.75rem;
    font-weight: 600;
    color: var(--mei-teal);
    border: 1px solid var(--mei-border);
    padding: 2px 10px;
    margin: 2px 4px 2px 0;
    text-decoration: none;
}

.mei-tag:hover {
    background: var(--mei-teal);
    color: #fff;
    text-decoration: none;
    border-color: var(--mei-teal);
}

/* Author Bio */
.mei-author-bio {
    display: flex;
    gap: 16px;
    padding: 20px;
    background: var(--mei-teal-light);
    border-top: 2px solid var(--mei-teal);
    margin: 24px 0;
}

.mei-author-avatar img {
    border-radius: 50%;
}

.mei-author-name {
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    font-size: 0.95rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    margin-bottom: 4px;
}

.mei-author-desc {
    font-size: 0.85rem;
    color: #666;
    line-height: 1.5;
}


/* ================================================
   ARCHIVE / CATEGORY — full-width, no sidebar
   ================================================ */

.mei-archive-page {
    padding-bottom: 24px;
}

.mei-archive-header {
    padding: 24px 0 0;
    margin-bottom: 24px;
}

.mei-archive-desc {
    font-size: 0.95rem;
    color: var(--mei-muted);
    margin-top: 6px;
}

/* Archive featured (first) article */
.mei-archive-featured {
    margin-bottom: 4px;
}

.mei-archive-lead {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 1.5fr 1fr;
    gap: 24px;
    align-items: start;
}

.mei-archive-lead-image img {
    width: 100%;
    height: auto;
}

.mei-archive-lead-content {
    padding-top: 4px;
}


/* ================================================
   FOOTER — with geometric pattern overlay
   ================================================ */

.mei-footer {
    background: var(--mei-navy);
    color: #b0b8c4;
    margin-top: 40px;
    border-top: 3px solid var(--mei-gold);
    position: relative;
    flex-shrink: 0;              /* Never collapse the footer */
}

/* Subtle geometric tile pattern in footer background */
.mei-footer-pattern {
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    right: 0;
    height: 100%;
    opacity: 0.03;
    background-image:
        linear-gradient(45deg, #fff 25%, transparent 25%),
        linear-gradient(-45deg, #fff 25%, transparent 25%),
        linear-gradient(45deg, transparent 75%, #fff 75%),
        linear-gradient(-45deg, transparent 75%, #fff 75%);
    background-size: 30px 30px;
    background-position: 0 0, 0 15px, 15px -15px, -15px 0;
    pointer-events: none;
}

.mei-footer-top {
    padding: 40px 0 32px;
    position: relative;
}

.mei-footer-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 2fr 1fr 1fr;
    gap: 40px;
}

.mei-footer-heading {
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    font-size: 0.72rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 0.12em;
    color: var(--mei-gold);
    margin-bottom: 16px;
    padding-bottom: 8px;
    border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(200, 150, 78, 0.3);
}

.mei-footer-about {
    font-size: 0.9rem;
    line-height: 1.6;
    color: #8896a8;
}

.mei-footer-menu {
    list-style: none;
    padding: 0;
}

.mei-footer-menu li { margin-bottom: 6px; }

.mei-footer-menu li a {
    color: #b0b8c4;
    font-size: 0.88rem;
    text-decoration: none;
}

.mei-footer-menu li a:hover { color: var(--mei-gold); }

/* Newsletter form */
.mei-footer-newsletter-text {
    font-size: 0.85rem;
    line-height: 1.5;
    color: #8896a8;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
}

.mei-newsletter-form {
    display: flex;
    gap: 0;
}

.mei-newsletter-form input[type="email"] {
    flex: 1;
    padding: 8px 12px;
    font-size: 0.85rem;
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    border: 1px solid #2a3a50;
    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
    color: #fff;
    outline: none;
}

.mei-newsletter-form input[type="email"]::placeholder {
    color: #667788;
}

.mei-newsletter-form input[type="email"]:focus {
    border-color: var(--mei-gold);
}

.mei-newsletter-form button {
    padding: 8px 16px;
    background: var(--mei-gold);
    color: var(--mei-navy);
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    font-size: 0.78rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 0.06em;
    border: none;
    cursor: pointer;
    transition: background 0.2s;
}

.mei-newsletter-form button:hover {
    background: #d4a65e;
}

.mei-footer-bottom {
    border-top: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.08);
    padding: 16px 0;
    position: relative;
}

.mei-footer-bottom-inner {
    display: flex;
    justify-content: space-between;
    align-items: center;
    font-size: 0.78rem;
}

.mei-copyright { color: #667788; }

.mei-copyright a { color: var(--mei-gold); }

.mei-footer-powered {
    color: #667788;
    font-style: italic;
}

.mei-sep {
    color: #334455;
    margin: 0 4px;
}


/* ================================================
   WIDGETS
   ================================================ */

.mei-widget {
    margin-bottom: 28px;
}

.mei-widget-title {
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    font-size: 0.72rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 0.12em;
    color: var(--mei-ink);
    border-bottom: 2px solid var(--mei-teal);
    padding-bottom: 6px;
    margin-bottom: 14px;
}


/* ================================================
   PAGINATION
   ================================================ */

.mei-pagination {
    padding: 24px 0;
    text-align: center;
}

.mei-pagination .nav-links {
    display: flex;
    justify-content: center;
    gap: 4px;
}

.mei-pagination .page-numbers {
    display: inline-block;
    padding: 6px 12px;
    font-size: 0.85rem;
    font-weight: 600;
    color: var(--mei-text);
    border: 1px solid var(--mei-border);
    text-decoration: none;
}

.mei-pagination .page-numbers.current {
    background: var(--mei-teal);
    color: #fff;
    border-color: var(--mei-teal);
}


/* ================================================
   404 PAGE
   ================================================ */

.mei-404 {
    text-align: center;
    padding: 80px 20px;
}

.mei-404-ornament {
    color: var(--mei-gold);
    font-size: 1.5rem;
    margin-bottom: 16px;
    opacity: 0.5;
}

.mei-404 h1 {
    font-family: var(--mei-serif);
    font-size: 6rem;
    color: var(--mei-border);
}

.mei-404 p {
    font-size: 1.1rem;
    color: var(--mei-muted);
    margin: 12px 0 24px;
}

.mei-btn {
    display: inline-block;
    background: var(--mei-teal);
    color: #fff;
    padding: 10px 24px;
    font-size: 0.85rem;
    font-weight: 600;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 0.06em;
    text-decoration: none;
}

.mei-btn:hover {
    background: #157a66;
    color: #fff;
    text-decoration: none;
}


/* ================================================
   PAGE TEMPLATE
   ================================================ */

.mei-page-content {
    font-size: 1.05rem;
    line-height: 1.8;
}

.mei-page-content p {
    margin-bottom: 1.4rem;
}


/* ================================================
   SEARCH OVERLAY
   ================================================ */

.mei-search-overlay {
    position: fixed;
    inset: 0;
    background: rgba(15, 31, 46, 0.88);
    z-index: 9999;
    display: flex;
    align-items: flex-start;
    justify-content: center;
    padding-top: 120px;
}

.mei-search-box {
    background: #fff;
    padding: 24px;
    width: 90%;
    max-width: 600px;
    position: relative;
    border-top: 3px solid var(--mei-gold);
}

.mei-search-box input[type="search"] {
    width: 100%;
    padding: 12px 16px;
    font-size: 1.1rem;
    border: 2px solid var(--mei-ink);
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    outline: none;
}

.mei-search-box input[type="search"]:focus {
    border-color: var(--mei-teal);
}

.mei-search-box button[type="submit"] {
    display: none;
}

.mei-search-close {
    position: absolute;
    top: -40px;
    right: 0;
    background: none;
    border: none;
    color: #fff;
    font-size: 2rem;
    cursor: pointer;
}


/* ================================================
   NO POSTS / COMMENTS
   ================================================ */

.mei-no-posts {
    padding: 40px 0;
    text-align: center;
    color: var(--mei-muted);
    font-size: 1.1rem;
}

.mei-comments {
    padding: 24px 0;
    border-top: 1px solid var(--mei-border-light);
}

.mei-comments-title {
    font-family: var(--mei-sans);
    font-size: 0.75rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 0.1em;
    margin-bottom: 16px;
}


/* ================================================
   RELATED ARTICLES
   ================================================ */

.mei-related {
    padding: 32px 0;
    border-top: 1px solid var(--mei-border);
}


/* ================================================
   SINGLE ARTICLE — WSJ Desktop Reading Column
   Desktop: Constrained reading width for comfortable reading
   ================================================ */

/* WSJ Reading Column — applies at ALL screen widths (single posts force min-width: 1280px) */
.mei-article-header {
    max-width: 720px;
    margin-left: auto;
    margin-right: auto;
    padding: 32px 0 24px;
}

.mei-article-body {
    max-width: 680px;
    margin-left: auto;
    margin-right: auto;
}

.mei-author-bio {
    max-width: 680px;
    margin-left: auto;
    margin-right: auto;
}

.mei-article-tags {
    max-width: 680px;
    margin-left: auto;
    margin-right: auto;
}

.mei-article-featured-image {
    max-width: 900px;
    margin-left: auto;
    margin-right: auto;
    margin-bottom: 32px;
}

.mei-article-title {
    font-size: 2.8rem;
    margin-bottom: 14px;
}

.mei-article-subtitle {
    margin-bottom: 18px;
}

.mei-article-content p {
    margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
}

.mei-article-meta {
    padding-top: 14px;
}


/* ================================================
   RESPONSIVE
   ================================================ */

@media (max-width: 1024px) {
    .mei-grid-3col {
        grid-template-columns: 1fr 1.2fr;
    }

    .mei-col-sidebar {
        display: none;
    }

    .mei-grid-4col {
        grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
    }

    .mei-cat-feature-image {
        width: 320px;
    }

    .mei-cat-row {
        grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
    }

    .mei-cat-card:nth-child(2) {
        border-left: none;
    }

    .mei-cat-card:nth-child(3) {
        padding-left: 0;
    }

    .mei-footer-grid {
        grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
    }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    /* Grid — stack to single column */
    .mei-grid-3col {
        display: flex;
        flex-direction: column;
    }

    .mei-col-main {
        padding-right: 0;
        padding-left: 0;
        border-right: none;
        border-left: none;
        order: 2;
    }

    .mei-col-lead {
        padding: 0;
        order: 1;
    }

    .mei-col-sidebar {
        display: block;
        padding-left: 0;
        padding-right: 0;
        border-left: none;
        border-right: none;
        order: 3;
    }

    .mei-grid-4col {
        grid-template-columns: 1fr;
    }

    .mei-card {
        border-right: none;
        border-left: none;
        padding-right: 0;
        padding-left: 0;
        border-bottom: 1px solid var(--mei-border-light);
        padding-bottom: 16px;
    }

    .mei-card:last-child {
        border-bottom: none;
    }

    .mei-archive-lead {
        grid-template-columns: 1fr;
    }

    .mei-cat-feature {
        flex-direction: column;
        gap: 16px;
    }

    .mei-cat-feature-image {
        width: 100%;
    }

    .mei-cat-row {
        grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
        gap: 16px;
    }

    .mei-cat-card {
        border-left: none;
        padding: 0;
    }

    /* Homepage/listing typography — fluid sizes (non-article) */
    .mei-site-title {
        font-size: 2rem;
    }

    .mei-lead-title {
        font-size: 1.5rem;
    }

    .mei-story-title {
        font-size: 1.05rem;
    }

    /* Secondary stories — stack on mobile */
    .mei-secondary-story {
        flex-direction: column;
    }

    .mei-secondary-thumb {
        width: 100%;
        order: -1;
    }

    .mei-secondary-thumb img {
        width: 100%;
        height: 180px;
    }

    /* What's News heading */
    .mei-whats-news-heading {
        font-size: 1.1rem;
    }

    /* Sidebar stories — stack on mobile */
    .mei-sidebar-story {
        flex-direction: column;
    }

    .mei-sidebar-thumb {
        width: 100%;
    }

    .mei-sidebar-thumb img {
        width: 100%;
        height: 180px;
        object-fit: cover;
    }

    /* Footer */
    .mei-footer-grid {
        grid-template-columns: 1fr;
    }

    .mei-footer-bottom-inner {
        flex-direction: column;
        gap: 8px;
        text-align: center;
    }

    /* Mobile navigation — touch-friendly */
    .mei-nav-menu {
        display: none;
        flex-direction: column;
        align-items: stretch;
    }

    .mei-nav-open .mei-nav-menu {
        display: flex;
    }

    .mei-nav-menu li a {
        padding: 14px 0;
        border-bottom: 1px solid #eee;
        min-height: 44px;
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
    }

    .mei-menu-toggle {
        display: block;
        min-width: 44px;
        min-height: 44px;
    }

    .mei-search-toggle {
        min-width: 44px;
        min-height: 44px;
    }

    /* Ticker — tighter on mobile */
    .mei-ticker-items {
        gap: 16px;
    }

    .mei-lang-text {
        display: none;
    }

    /* Lead image accent */
    .mei-lead-image::after {
        width: 30px;
    }
}

@media (max-width: 480px) {
    .mei-site-title {
        font-size: 1.6rem;
    }

    .mei-ornament {
        font-size: 0.7rem;
    }
}


/* ================================================
   SINGLE POST — Force desktop layout at ALL screen widths.
   Prevents mobile breakpoints from triggering on article pages.
   ================================================ */

body.single-post {
    min-width: 1280px;
}