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.

Immigration checks and security screening are the biggest bugbears of travellers, according to a recent survey. Senior aviation correspondent Karamjit Kaur said checks are about to get much tougher for those on non-stop flights to the United States and the International Civil Aviation Organisation needs to push for a global standard. http://str.sg/4FGf

President Halimah Yacob has said she wants to make the Istana more accessible. Correspondent Toh Yong Chuan said the large crowds at open houses show there is a demand for such visits, and offered his wish list of four things he hopes will happen. http://str.sg/4FiT

All schools now have education and career guidance counsellors to help students make choices about their future. Education correspondent Amelia Teng said these counsellors help students think beyond classroom studies and enlighten parents about choices. http://str.sg/4FZv

The National Adult Immunisation Schedule lists seven vaccines which protect against 11 diseases. Health correspondent Linette Lai said the formal schedule emphasises the importance of vaccines to the average person and makes it easier for people to decide which vaccine to get at which age. http://str.sg/4yCA

Correspondent Rachel Au-Yong said the Housing Board's new portal, which can halve the resale flat transaction time, signals the Government is walking the talk in its Smart Nation push. But the improved platform could also threaten the livelihood of a handful of professional valuers or real estate agents who focus on the HDB resale market. http://str.sg/4yK6