What you need to know about the 2016 US presidential elections

Ted Cruz, the Republican Texas senator, has become the first contender to officially throw his hat in the ring as a candidate for the US presidency, firing the starting gun on the race.

Here's what you need to know:

More: [Republican senator actually makes a Pinterest page to mock Hillary Clinton]1

More: [Jeb Bush's attempt to appear transparent backfired massively]2