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.

Prime Minister Najib Razak recently announced the return of former heavyweight politician Muhammad Muhammad Taib to ruling party Umno. Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh said that this is just one battle in the war to win Selangor state. http://str.sg/4jLW

Assistant Life editor Melissa Sim said exempting the Singapore International Festival of Arts from licensing requirements is a step in the right direction. It will allow for more cutting-edge programmes, which is good for a maturing arts scene and Singapore's premier cultural festival. http://str.sg/4j8g

The SkillsFuture Work-Study Degree Programmes, which allow undergraduates to work and study for their degrees concurrently, have met with a positive response. There are three students vying for each of the 65 or so places available. Education reporter Yuen Sin said what is needed for the scheme to take off is greater buy-in from employers. http://str.sg/4jWa

Judicial Commissioner Aedit Abdullah took netizens to task recently for comments made online which caused distress to a rape victim in the case before him. Law correspondent Selina Lum noted that the move was unusual, but it drove home the message that online comments have a real impact on real people. http://str.sg/4jgL

Manpower correspondent Joanna Seow said the latest labour market figures are heartening for workers and job seekers as they indicate that things are looking up on the jobs front. But demand for workers will be confined to certain growth industries and older workers may still struggle. http://str.sg/4jNw