chip

Washington seeks improved access to strategic chip industry of island nation, over which China claims sovereignty.

Taiwan and the United States have struck a trade deal that will see the island nation boost tech and energy investments in the US in exchange for lower tariffs.

In a statement announcing the deal late on Thursday, the US Commerce Department said Taiwan’s semiconductor and technology businesses will invest at least $250bn in the US. In exchange, it said Washington will reduce its general tariff on imports of Taiwanese goods from 20 percent to 15 percent.

The deal illustrates an ongoing push by the US to improve access to Taiwan’s semiconductor industry. The island nation holds a dominant position in the supply of the chips used in advanced digital technology across the world and, therefore, a critical component in the global economy, but it faces Chinese claims over its sovereignty.

President Donald Trump announced a 32 percent tariff on Taiwanese goods as part of his sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs last spring, a rate he later lowered to 20 percent.

The Commerce Department said the “historic” deal “will strengthen US economic resilience, create high-paying jobs, and bolster national security”.

In addition to investing $250bn in building and expanding advanced semiconductor, energy, and artificial intelligence production and innovation capacity in the US, Taiwan will provide at least the same amount in credit guarantees for additional investment by its businesses in the US semiconductor supply chain.

Silicon shield

Taiwan stressed that it would remain the world’s main semiconductor supplier.

The island’s chip industry has long been seen as a “silicon shield” protecting it from an invasion or blockade by China – which claims the island is part of its sovereign territory – and an incentive for the US to defend it.

“Based on current planning, Taiwan will still remain the world’s most important producer of AI semiconductors, not only for Taiwanese companies, but globally,” Economic Affairs Minister Kung Ming-hsin told reporters on Friday, the AFP news agency reported.

Production capacity for the advanced chips that power artificial intelligence systems will be split about 85-15 between Taiwan and the United States by 2030 and 80-20 by 2036, he projected.

Reacting to the accord, Beijing expressed its stern opposition.

“China consistently and resolutely opposes any agreement … signed between countries with which it has diplomatic relations and the Taiwan region of China,” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said, urging Washington to abide by Beijing’s one-China principle.

Historic chippy on Sharrow Vale Road gained its distinctive name from locals during World War One and continues to gather large queues all these years later

Sheffield boasts one of Britain’s oldest fish and chip shops, and potentially one of the world’s, with punters regularly forming queues stretching beyond its entrance.

Established in at least 1895, the chippy on Sharrow Vale Road remains amongst the original fish and chip establishments still operating today. Two Steps amusingly earned its moniker from locals during the First World War when, as multiple fish and chip outlets appeared in the vicinity, it stood out as the one requiring ‘two steps to get in’.

The informal name swiftly became its official title, distinguishing it from rival establishments. Historical records suggest it was initially opened by a gentleman called James Boulton, appearing in the 1895 trades directory as a ‘fried fish dealer’, according to The Star.

Throughout its history, the cherished establishment has passed through various owners, with Laggy currently at the helm, having served patrons for the past two decades. Before him, the longest-serving proprietors were Nan and Graham, who dedicated 34 years working behind the historic counter.

Upon assuming control of the chippy, he sought to implement several crucial modifications, prioritising the sourcing of premium ingredients. Despite evolving fashions in the fish and chip industry, he revealed to The Star that he categorically refuses to offer the notorious battered Mars Bar.

The owner explained: “It ruins the oil, and I don’t agree with it anyway. It’s a heart attack on a plate.”

One recent visitor described their visit as nothing short of “fabulous”. The satisfied customer wrote on TripAdvisor: “I travel a few miles to get to this chip shop. It has amazing staff, and the owner is fab. Will not swap this chip shop for any other.”

Another loyal customer shared: “Have to say this place is by far the best chippy in town! I’ve been a regular visitor on Fridays for almost 20 years, and this place is often busy, with the queue stretching out the door, even in the rain. Well priced, and they don’t skimp on portions. I can rarely actually finish my tea. Good mix of all your chippy favourites.”

Following their experience at the legendary establishment, one reviewer declared it “the best fish and chips by far”. They elaborated: “Very good quality, perfectly cooked and incredibly generous portion size. All items are competitively priced, and the staff service and management attitude in resolving any issues are impeccable.”

Pinpointing Britain’s definitively oldest fish and chip shop proves tricky, with several contenders competing for the accolade. Rock and Sole Plaice in Covent Garden, London, stakes its claim as opening in 1971, making it the capital’s most venerable chippie still dishing up its time-honoured recipes.

Meanwhile, another establishment literally rebranded itself as ‘The Oldest Fish and Chip Shop in the World’ on Sandy Way in Yeadon, West Yorkshire. Yet it shuttered permanently in 2016, potentially elevating this Sheffield favourite to the position of Britain’s longest-surviving fish and chip shop still trading today.

WHEN it comes to food, there’s much more to Lincolnshire than sausages and seafood (although you should try those, too!).

This is of course home to delicious local sausage rolls (made with Lincolnshire sausages, of course) and fish and chips fresh from the coast.

But there’s more on offer – from vintage tea shops to village pubs dating back hundreds of years.

You’ll also find plenty of wallet-friendly options along the coast, as well as restaurants that welcome families with kids’ menus and even pirate-themed animations. 

We’ve chosen some of our favourite places to eat and drink that are all within easy reach of your £9.50 Holiday in Lincolnshire.

As well as our expert picks, we’ve asked Sun readers who have holidayed here and local holiday park staff for their recommendations, including their favourite chippies, pubs and coastal cafes.

Best local pub

Joanne Green, General Manager at Parkdean’s Sunnydale holiday park, recommends The New Inn in Saltfleet, which is within walking distance of the holiday park.

She said: “It’s popular with the locals. They’re a seasonal pub so they usually close over the winter.

There’s also The Axe and Cleaver in North Somercotes, which has good food that is reasonably priced.”

Tip: Make the most of The Axe and Cleaver “pie and pint night” on Thursdays (£12.95 for a pie, sides and a pint of ale or a wine).

Meanwhile, Alex Trembath, creator of the Lincoln and Beyond blog, recommends heading to Theddlethorpe village for the King’s Head Inn.

He said: “It’s a 16th-century thatched pub run by a local couple, with big portions at reasonable prices.”

Favourite brunch spot

If you’re staying near Sunnydale, Sun reader Linda McDonnell, 71, recommends GiGi, an Italian restaurant in North Somercotes, less than three miles away.

Linda, from Lincoln, said: “You will get the most amazing experience there, and it’s not overly dear.

“From the front, it’s a very unassuming little place – but when you enter it, it’s done beautifully with wooden beams, exposed bricks and a relaxed, Italian atmosphere.

“As soon as you go in, you’re greeted and taken to your table. It’s child-friendly and the food is exceptional.

It’s a very nice place to go, whether you want to go for a romantic meal or meal with a family.”

GiGi has a brunch menu (10.30am until 4pm, Thursday to Sunday) – including Italian eggs benedict (£8.90) and a gourmet cheeseburger (£13.90).

They also serve a brilliant range of pizzas (from £10.90), fresh meats and kebabs. Kids meals cost £8.95 and come with a free scoop of ice cream. 

Favourite place for a cheap eat

On the seafront at Mablethorpe, The Beck is very popular. Linda McDonnell said: “They do a carvery every day throughout the year and it’s great value, especially for kids (£3 for under-twos).

You can choose from three different sized carveries, depending on how many slices of meat you want (£8.99 for small, £9.99 for medium, £13.99 for large).

They also have lots of special offers, like two-for-one meals.”

Further down the coast in Skegness, The family-run Cosy Corner Cafe is a great value breakfast spot, with a Full English from £6.60 and kids’ breakfasts costing £4.50.

They also offer a two-for-one breakfast special (Tuesday to Friday mornings) for £11.95.

Best chippie

In Skegness, Linda McDonnell says Salts Fish & Chip Shop is the best chippie around.

She said: “Everybody’s heard of them and tried them. The queue is outside the door.”

Meanwhile Sun reader John Ellis, 72, rates The Marina Fish & Chips in Chapel St Leonards.

John, who is from Sheffield and was staying nearby at Golden Palm Resort on his most recent £9.50 Holiday, said: “It’s a great chippy. Fish and chips is no longer a cheap meal anywhere, but Marina’s is worth paying for.

“It’s better than the chippies in Skegness.”

Marina’s cod and freshly-cut chips cost £9.49. A mini fish deal (mini fish, small chips and a side) costs £6.99.  

Best for a pint on the beach

John Ellis recommends checking out the pubs on the seafront of Chapel St Leonards, like the fun Admiral Benbow Beach Bar.

He said: “It’s a bar in a boat on the beach and it has a fun atmosphere.”

The main building has previously served as everything from a public toilet to a workman’s hut and is named after the inn in the book Treasure Island.

This is also a good option for dog walkers, as it’s dog-friendly inside or you can enjoy an alfresco pint in the outdoor beach bar. 

Best quirky cafe

If you want to step back in time, Linda McDonnell  recommends Maplethorpe, saying: “It’s a nice place to sit and have a coffee and people watch.

“The town is quite small, and very quaint. It hasn’t changed a lot, and they keep it nice.

“I like The Blitz Tea Room – it’s designed like it would have been during The Blitz with taped windows and retro interior.”

The World War II theme includes walls decorated with posters and artefacts and tea served old school-style (as loose-leaf tea in a teapot with a strainer).

Food also harks back to old-fashioned British choices like stew with doorstep bread and steamed pudding and custard.

For more vintage feels, head to Lady B’s Tea Room down the road – perfect for afternoon tea or cocktails with an antique twist. 

Best place to take the kids

Alex Trembath reckons families should hot-foot it to The Trawler’s Catch, a pirate-themed fish and chip shop in Skegness.

He said: “Portions are generous and kids will love the animated fire cannons.”

This seaside town has been crowned the UK’s chip shop capital after research found the seaside town has 93 fish and chip shops – the highest concentration per capita in Britain

Locals in this coastal resort understand perfectly what it’s like having an excellent chippy right on their doorstep – because they’re literally scattered everywhere.

Following thorough analysis by Suomikasinot, researchers identified Britain’s chip shop capital by calculating the number of outlets per 10,000 inhabitants. The findings revealed that Scarborough topped the list, boasting the nation’s highest density of fish and chip shops, cementing its reputation as a must-visit location for true food enthusiasts, according to reports.

It comes as little shock that a seaside destination claimed pole position, but during the study period, Scarborough boasted a remarkable 93 fish and chip establishments. Residents enjoy an embarrassment of riches, with a fish shop on practically every street corner, and this particular feature attracts countless tourists to the region.

Taking the crown as TripAdvisor’s top-rated destination for delicious seafood is the Lifeboat Fish Bar. Frequently seen with customers queuing outside, the eatery is a traditional family-owned establishment positioned along the seafront, near the lifeboat station. One delighted diner said: “Looked on TripAdvisor for the best-rated fish and chips shop in Scarborough, and this was the one. We arrived just after it opened at 12pm and were so glad we did, as we were lucky to get a table. (People started queuing outside.)”. “The food was delicious; the light bite of fish and chips was the perfect size, and the kids’ portions weren’t far off. Great price, service and food. Will definitely go again.”

Another highly regarded spot is Catch 55, which operates as both a restaurant and takeaway, featuring prominently among the town’s top fish and chip establishments. A recent diner commented: “Friendly welcome to the restaurant; immensely enjoyed our fish and chips and local beers. The homemade tartare sauce was delicious, accompanied by haddock cooked to perfection. The restaurant being clean and tidy made this a pleasurable experience – thank you we will be back!”.

Beyond its excellent selection of chip shops, Scarborough boasts plenty of attractions for those seeking a coastal getaway. The beach alone is a major draw for UK holidaymakers wanting to enjoy some sunshine, and rightly so – its vast sandy shoreline provides stunning vistas.

These impressive views can also be appreciated from the Observation Ferris wheel. The 105ft tall attraction is complemented by an 18-hole mini golf course, ideal for families seeking entertainment before tucking into fish and chips. One visitor described their beach experience, stating: “Lovely beach in a traditional old English seaside town. Clean sand and all facilities close by – bars, chip shops, amusements, toilets, seaside stuff, etc. Very picturesque and photogenic place.”

Coming in second as the most densely populated fish and chip hotspot was East Lindsay, home to beloved seaside resorts like Skegness and Mablethorpe. This district boasts 89 chippies in total, roughly translating to one for every two miles of its coastline. Following closely behind is another coastal gem, the ever-popular Blackpool, securing a spot in the top three with a total of 84 chip shops. The research revealed that the majority of these prime locations are coastal towns, offering fresh fish to numerous establishments.

However, inland areas such as Rossendale and Burnley also made the list.

Chip Kelly didn’t land on his feet by taking the offensive coordinator position at Northwestern on Tuesday, a month after the Las Vegas Raiders fired him.

More likely, he’ll land on his derriere, seated in a comfy chair overlooking Ryan Field, the Wildcats’ gleaming new $850-million stadium, while calling plays for a program that finished 15th in the Big Ten in points per game this season.

This is what a consolation prize feels like. A year ago, Kelly was calling plays at Ohio State, the most prolific offense in college football and eventual national champion. He’d still be there, pulling the strings again for a juggernaut offense in the College Football Playoff, but for his decision to jump to the Raiders.

It’s been quite the free fall. Las Vegas was 2-9 when Kelly was fired shortly after the lowly Cleveland Browns registered 10 sacks in a 24-10 win over the Raiders on Nov. 23. Whatever play-calling magic Kelly mustered at Ohio State didn’t translate in the NFL, where in years past he had mostly failed in head coaching assignments with the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles.

Kelly, who honed his reputation as a man of few words during his mediocre 2018-2023 tenure as UCLA head coach, didn’t express hard feelings toward the Raiders on his way out.

“Hey, we gotta win,” he told a reporter. “I get it.”

Now he’ll have an opportunity to repair his reputation at Northwestern. Coach David Braun clearly is enamored with Kelly, who cemented his offensive genius bona fides by leading Oregon to a 46-7 record as head coach from 2009 to 2012.

“His innovative approach to offense using systems that focus on varying tempo, efficiency and smart decision-making, his track record of developing quarterbacks, and his ability to maximize talent are exactly what our program needs at this moment,” Braun said in a statement. “Make no mistake: this is a program-defining change and is reflective of our long-term commitment to the pursuit of championships.”

The only titles Northwestern can claim are a dozen Academic Achievement Awards from the American Football Coaches Assn. since 2002. Since leaving Oregon, Kelly has stumbled at every stop except the single season at Ohio State, where he could still be calling plays had he not left for the lure of the NFL.