Every day on Page 2 of The Straits Times, reporters write about why certain news reports matter to readers. This is a weekly round-up of the columns.

Senior law correspondent K.C. Vijayan noted that the Court of Appeal, Singapore's top court, has faced a recent string of last-minute applications from death-row convicts trying to avoid the noose. But the court is putting a stop to what it sees as an abuse of court process, saying that "such a drip-feeding approach clearly squanders valuable judicial time". http://str.sg/4AGF

Invest editor Lorna Tan noted that three insurers have raised premiums for Integrated Shield hospitalisation plans and it is only a matter of time before others follow suit. The Health Insurance Task Force has already made recommendations to rein in escalating costs and claims, but consumers need to educate themselves to actively manage their health and healthcare costs. http://str.sg/4ATP

After two years of tumult, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak looks secure again in Umno, based on the recently concluded party assembly, Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh noted. It seems that victory for Umno boils down to solid backing by the Malay majority. http://str.sg/4Ao9

The year-end festive season is a time for most people to let their hair down. But the authorities have been warning Singaporeans to keep their guard up as terrorists in the region are fond of attacking during the holidays. Reporter Chong Zi Liang noted that the Government has been encouraging citizen vigilance, and all Singaporeans have a part to play in preventing incidents. http://str.sg/4Qvn

An agreement by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries to cut production amid an oil glut could improve the outlook for Singapore's offshore and marine industry. But business reporter Grace Leong said that the Singapore Business Federation has already warned that the sector is unlikely to bounce back to pre-slump days. http://str.sg/4QVV