What Happened at the Boston Marathon: Recap, Analysis, Opinions From Around the Blogosphere

…a “darker-skinned or black male,” possibly with a foreign accent, according to CNN. About five minutes before the attack, the man was seen trying to enter a restricted area. The man was wearing a black backpack and hooded sweatshirt.

Boston Marathon bombings add to concerns in financial markets (CTV News)
The sense of caution in financial markets continued Tuesday after deadly bombings at the finish line in the Boston Marathon. Investors have been spooked over recent trading sessions by the declines recorded in commodity prices – not just gold – as well as a run of disappointing economic data from the U.S. and China, the world’s two-largest economies. Monday’s explosions in Boston, which killed three people, provided investors a stark reminder of the threats posed by terrorists to a fragile global economic recovery.

Boston Marathon Bombings: Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Ellen DeGeneres Express Sorrow, Send Well-Wishes on Their Talk Shows (E! Online)
On Monday, talk-show hosts sounded off on the tragedy, as they sent well-wishes to the victims and their families while expressing deep outrage over the senseless horror. “First, I did wanna start by mentioning what an upsetting and sad day it has been,” Conan O’Brien said in his opening monologue. “Boston is my home town, it’s where I grew up, and it’s where my family lives. So I just wanted to take a moment to say that, like everyone here, my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston and everybody who’s been affected by this absolutely senseless act.”

Boston Marathon bombing: Hudson Valley commuters put aside worries amid tight security (Newsday)
A day after twin bombs killed three and injured more than 140 near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, Hudson Valley commuters Tuesday shunted aside their fears, boarded trains and headed to work amid heightened security. At the White Plains Metro-North station, Brewster resident Tony Bruce, who saw the second plane hit the World Trade Center as he headed to work on 9/11, was philosophical about security efforts to deter an attack. “It could be any day at any time,” he said. “The presence is a good deterrent, but nothing’s foolproof.”

How The Boston Marathon Bombing Investigation Will Be Conducted (Forbes)
As law enforcement flocks to the scene of the bombings at the Boston Marathon, the information they are able to gather at the scene of the attack will be critically important in identifying suspects and building a criminal case against them. Carefully gathering evidence will facilitate criminal prosecution and will aid in successful scientific tests and analyses. The response will likely unfold in the following steps, some of which may occur simultaneously.

SA political parties voice disgust at Boston Marathon bombings (Times LIVE)
“There can be no justification for such a despicable attack,” said African National Congress spokesman Jackson Mthembu on Tuesday, adding that it deserved world condemnation. “The ANC condemns the senseless and dastardly act of terrorism that happened in Boston”. The department of international relations confirmed that two South Africans were among the injured, and said consulate officials based in New York were dispatched to the scene to help people on the ground and monitor the situation.