It'd be good if the things reported in the newspapers had implications within the game, not just random stories. For example you may read a headline saying something like:
"Major earthquake on Birminghamworld in the Barnards Star system. Thousands injured or missing"
Thats all you get know on the surface, but behind the scenes there will now be a greater need for goods such as food, water and medical supplies, so if you were to take goods such as these you'll find greater demand and higher prices.