craig dale, nhk world. >>> u.s. senator ted cruz has announced his intention to run for president. he becomes the first major republican politician to officially enter the race for his party's nomination. >> i believe in the power of millions of courageous conservatives rising up to re-ignite the promise of america. and that is why today i am announcing that i'm running for president of the united states. >> cruz launched his campaign in the southern state of virginia. he's 44 years old, and represents the state of texas. he's backed by the conservative tea party movement, and has strongly opposed president barack obama's health care and immigration policies. several other republicans are expected to announce their candidacy in the coming weeks. they include former florida governor jeb bush who is the brother of former president george w. bush and wisconsin governor scott walker. attention in the democratic party is focused on former secretary of state hillary clinton. she's considered a heavy favorite to become the party's nominee. >>> israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu is

." >> that was nhk world's craig dale. >>> a representative for the white house says the u.s. may reconsider its approach to middle east peace talks. this follows israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu whose dmaents he now oppose -- comments that he now opposes a palestinian state. press secretary josh ernest criticized netanyahu's likud party. he says the rhetoric marginalizing one segment of the population is of great concern. in the final days before the israeli election netanyahu said he was against a two-state solution. ernest says this remark suggests a change in netanyahu's position. he says washington will now reevaluate its plans for peace. relations between obama and netanyahu had already been chilly for a while. they both disagree on what to do about iran's nuclear development. experts say netanyahu's re-election will continue to strength strain ties between israel and the u.s. >>> leaders in the u.s. and germany say they will keep pressing russia to honor the cease-fire deal in ukraine. they affirmed they won't ease their sanctions until the russians fulfill all