Global News takes a brief ‘by the numbers’ look at the State of the Union.

U.S. President Barack Obama said Friday his re-election means Americans are behind his approach for avoiding a looming "fiscal cliff" that threatens a new recession - and that his approach means the country's wealthiest people will have to pay more in taxes.

It seems out of place: The president of the United States breaking down in tears as he thanked campaign workers for their tireless work for his re-election.

Hit the slopes - and then a bong? Marijuana legalization votes this week in Colorado and Washington state don't just set up an epic state-federal showdown on drug law for residents. The measures also open the door for marijuana tourism.

Nate Silver - crowned golden boy of electoral statistics - saw a huge jump in book sales this week after correctly predicting election outcomes in 49 of 50 states.

Colorado and Washington State voted to legalize the recreational use of marijuana on Tuesday. Might Canada be next? Experts and activists think it's a possibility.

For years, foes of same-sex marriage had a potent talking point: They'd won every time the issue went to a popular vote. That winning streak has now been shattered in a multi-state electoral sweep by gay marriage supporters - a historic tipping point likely to influence other states and possibly even the Supreme Court.

Donald Trump has deleted some of the Twitter tirade he posted following President Barack Obama's re-election and added new critiques of NBC's Brian Williams.

Mariah Carey was so excited about President Barack Obama's re-election that she released a new song in his honour. Beyoncé popped up on Instagram with a rebuke for Mitt Romney, while Romney supporter Elisabeth Hasselbeck sent out a disappointed but conciliatory tweet urging a divided United States to become one.

The Harper government is optimistic that the Keystone XL pipeline will finally move forward now that the presidential politicking south of the border is finished.