The story: Iraq’s new parliament has voted to renew Speaker Mohammed Al-Halbousi’s term. The vote was held as lawmakers affiliated with the Shiite Coordination Framework (CF), the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and other groups were absent. Meanwhile, MPs from the CF and the Sadrist Movement have rowed over who represents the parliament’s largest bloc, which is tasked with forming the next government. The intense session was the new parliament’s first since the Oct. 10 legislative elections.

The coverage: 228 out of the parliament’s 329 members were present for the vote. Halbousi garnered the support of 200 MPs...