So, China loans the money, which returns to China via Chinese construction companies
This is par for the course in international assistance, not specific to China. Not limited to development assistance, either; most famously, US military aid to many countries around the world is earmarked for spending on US weapons firms.
If anything, it's the exact opposite of covert. Taiwan has been unwisely hollowing out their military for the past two decades. These recent expenditures---not matched by corresponding manpower increases---are meant to broadcast that everything's fine, pay no attention to the problems underneath.
I guess it was justified because the IDF was using civilians as human shields.
That's clearly referring to Prospero's ending monologue from The Tempest.
Now my charms are all o’erthrown, And what strength I have ’s mine own, Which is most faint. Now ’tis true I must be here confined by you, Or sent to Naples. Let me not, Since I have my dukedom got And pardoned the deceiver, dwell In this bare island by your spell, But release me from my bands With the help of your good hands. Gentle breath of yours my sails Must fill, or else my project fails, Which was to please.
It's not so obvious to me how the Fontaine storyline relates to The Tempest, though.
Israel knows that the US will back it up no matter what, so it doesn't have to listen.
Blinken also knows that Israel knows. The US calls for humanitarian aid, etc, are public theatre designed to be rebuffed by Israel without consequences. So Biden gets to show the world that he is very concerned over human rights, even as Israel flattens Gaza.
Someone should ask him, "Do you even lift, bro?"
The world’s largest offshore wind developer, Ørsted, just announced today they are abandoning two big US projects. The government claims it wants offshore wind, but something seems to be out of whack in how these projects are being supported. (Harrassment by US shipping interests, citing the Jones Act, probably doesn't help.)
Also relevant: the Palantirs are linked to Sauron, and anyone who uses one is almost certain to get corrupted and dominated by the Dark Lord.