English usage and abusage

Like any proud self-respecting Singaporean, I make reading the Straits Times part of my morning ritual. I read it for its news coverage, social commentary, editorial opinion, political and philosophical analysis.

And I read it to check my understanding and use of the English language.

The following excerpts are typical examples of what appears in said paper:

1. Murdered maid was in love triangle (Home, ST February 6 2009, page C4)
"Ms Yulia Afriyanti, is alleged to have died at the hands of her lover in a crime of passion."

I understand putting one's life in somebody's hands. I understand dying in the arms of a lover. I do not understand "is alleged to have died at the hands of her lover". I don't understand the comma appearing after the victim's name either.

2. How Govt can engage netizens effectively (Forum, ST February 6 2009, page A23)
"The perceived shroud of secrecy the Internet provides users makes them feel comfortable in ventilating their darker emotions or exploring more sinister aspects of their minds."

Ventilating? Suddenly I have difficulty breathing.

I will continue to measure my standard of English proficiency against the august Straits Times. It is, after all, one of the region's oldest and most respected English-language daily newspapers and a partner in the Speak Good English movement.