"Suspect 2" (Photo: FBI.gov)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation held a press briefing today in which they released photo and video footage of two individuals suspected of being involved in Monday's deadly bombing of the Boston Marathon.

"Today we are enlisting the public's help to identify the two suspects," F.B.I. Special Agent Richard DesLauriers said at the conference.

“After a very detailed analysis of photo, video and other evidence, we are releasing photos of these two suspects. They are identified as 'Suspect 1' and 'Suspect 2.' They appear to be associated."

"Suspect 1" is wearing a black hat with a matching black packpack and "Suspect 2" is wearing a white hat with a matching white backpack. They both are wearing dark hoodies and sneakers and walk by dozens of spectators, one after another.

A collection of photos of both can be viewed on the F.B.I.'s website in greater detail, along with directions to reach out agency with tips should the public have any.

"Somebody out there knows these individuals as friends, neighbors, co-workers, or family members of the suspects," he added. "Though it may be difficult, the nation is counting on those with information to come forward."

Mr. DesLauriers only took a couple questions, urging the media to stay focused only on official photos after a number of embarrassing reports on "possible suspects" have emerged over the last few days. The New York Post splashed the photos of two unconnected individuals on its front pages today, for example.

"For clarity, these images should be the only ones--I emphasize, the only ones--that the public should use to assist us," he explained. "Other photos should not be deemed credible and they unnecessarily divert the public's attention."

Surveillance footage of both suspects can be viewed below:

President Obama talks on the phone with FBI Director Mueller about the bombings. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Earlier this evening, President Barack Obama addressed the nation about the deadly bombing of the Boston Marathon. And, while extending his condolences, the president urged the American public to avoid jumping to conclusions—terrorism, unmentioned by Mr. Obama, seemingly being the most obvious—as the devastation is investigated.

"We still do not know who did this or why and people shouldn't jump to conclusions before we have all of the facts," Mr. Obama explained. "But, make no mistake, we will get to the bottom of this. And we will find out who did this. We'll find out why they did this. Any responsible individuals—any responsible groups—will feel the full weight of justice."

Mr. Obama also said that he's mobilizing the federal government to assist local governments respond and investigate the apparent attack, as well as increasing "security around the United States as necessary."

A man is loaded into an ambulance after the explosions. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

"I've directed the full resources of the federal government to help state and local authorities protect our people, increase security around the United States as necessary and investigate what happened," he said.  "I've also spoken with Governor Patrick and Mayor Menino and maid it clear that they will have every single federal resource necessary to care for the victims and counsel the families. And, above all, I made it clear to them that all Americans stand with the people of Boston."

Mr. Obama, sending his sympathies to the victims, further provided a post-partisan message of unity as Boston recovers.

"I've updated leaders of Congress in both parties and we reaffirmed that on days like this, there are no Republicans or Democrats; we are Americans united in concern for our fellow citizens," he said. "Boston is a tough and resilient town; so are its people. I'm supremely confident that Bostonians will pull together, take care of each other and move forward as one proud city. And, as they do, the American people will be with them."

A man is loaded into an ambulance in Boston. (Getty Images)

As more details of the deadly explosions in Boston are released, the running community is slowly reacting to the shocking events.

Mary Wittenberg, the President and Chief Executive Officer of New York Road Runners, issued a statement lamenting the devastation and its impact on the running community in particular.

“All of our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families of the bombings at the Boston Marathon today, as well as with the runners, spectators, volunteers and staff of the Boston Athletic Association," she said.

"Marathons bring out the best of the human spirit and unite our cities and towns. This is a tragic day for all of us in the running community. We are here in full support of our close friends at the BAA."

An unnamed law enforcement source told the New York Post that the original target may have been the New York  City Marathon, with Boston being the hypothetical back-up plan.

“This changes everything [in New York],’’ the source speculated. “Everyone’s on high alert. Our marathon was canceled in November. Who knows if that changed someone’s plans?’

For her part, Ms. Wittenberg reiterated her own event's commitment to security.

"The safety and security of all New York Road Runners’ races is and will always be our top priority," she said. "We will continue to work hand in hand with the City of New York and the NYPD as we plan for upcoming events.”

(Photo: Anna Silman)

Earlier today, multiple bombs went off at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing at least two and injuring dozens more.

New York City has already stepped up its own security efforts in case there is a plot to attack additional cities, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced.

“[T]he NYPD has stepped up security at strategic locations and critical infrastructure, including our subways," the mayor said in a statement.

"Some of the security steps we are taking may be noticeable, including deployment of Critical Response Vehicles and additional police personnel, and others will not be. We have 1,000 members of the NYPD assigned to counter-terrorism duties, and they – along with the entire NYPD and the investments we have made in counter-terrorism infrastructure – are being fully mobilized to protect our city.”

Governor Andrew Cuomo issued his own statement announcing that all state agencies are on "a heightened state of alert as we learn more about this incident," the facts of which are still emerging.

"I have directed state agencies, including the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, State Police, the MTA and the Port Authority, to be on a heightened state of alert as we learn more about this incident," Mr. Cuomo said.

(Photo: Anna Silman)

"New York National Guard on Sunday sent three vehicles and 6 soldiers to support the Marathon, and they are on hand to assist with emergency response and work together with local authorities following this incident."

Several other cities, including Washington D.C., have begun taking similar steps to secure landmarks and high-trafficked areas.

In Times Square, bystanders were frightened by the news and the heightened police presence.

Kirsten Andrews and Lauren Adamo, visitors from Maine, had been following the news for the past hour in their hotel room and came out to observe the scene in the square.

“I wanted to come down and talk to a cop and see if they have a plan in motion if anything happened right now, because it would be chaotic," said Ms. Andrews. "I’m wondering why subways and buses are still running."

Ms. Adamo was concerned about the possibility of more explosions. “My stepdad’s in the military and he says all big cities are under threat right now,” said Ms. Adamo. “It’s a little unsettling.”

Mr. Wadhwa's crime? Trash-talking Boston's tech scene in a lecture at the MIT Entrepreneurs' Club.

Master of linkbait meets prickly East Coast city with longstanding inferiority complex? Blogfight!

As it stands now, neither side is looking good. It's hard to say which is worse: Mr. Wadhwa's snooty tweets or the whining from residents of a city whose tech scene has been declining since the invention of internet. 

Boston Globe columnist and entrepreneur Scott Kirsner led the anti-Wadhwa charge. "Can we agree that BOS-based Akamai, A123 & AVEO are worth more than the co you founded & were fired from?" he quipped to Mr. Wadhwa on Twitter. (Akamai! Founded in 1998! A123, founded in 2001! AVEO Pharmaceuticals, founded in 2002! Boston!)

Even Elliot Cohen, the program manager at the club that hosted Mr. Wadhwa, was appalled. "I savor moments like these because they provide a unique opportunity to educate a person such as yourself in all of the wonderful ways in which you are wrong," he wrote in an open letter on the MIT Entrepreneurship blog.

Luckily, Mr. Wadhwa has been through these trenches. "Have fought this battle about Boston before. A few people here are mired in the past and don't see the writing on the wall," he tweeted.

And: "I believe in saying what is right. Let the ignorant get pissed."

Also: "Can't believe all the defensive tweets from Boston. Reality: Silicon Valley left it in the dust. Sorry for the wakeup call."

A touch of reality, from the man who photoshopped a baby Twitter bird onto his shoulder. 

Vivek, we have one request: Do us next! Does Silicon Alley stand up to Silicon Valley? How do you find the weather? The parties? The business plans? Do you like Mike? What do you and the bird that whispers tweets like "Silly: educated people demanding 'data' which shows that Silicon Valley leads Boston. Let's discuss real issues and fix real problems" into your ear really think about New York's tech scene? Dozens of readers are dying to know. You can even write about it for The Observer. Tweet us.

ajeffries [at] observer.com | @adrjeffries

So my take is that Boston entrepreneurs need to raise their game and put out more stuff that's unique. New York startups may not be the clear-cut competitors that the Jets and Yankees are (or Silicon Valley for that matter), but they are capturing a growing slice of the investor pie. Meantime, the VC and angel money is still here in Boston-but it might not be for long.

It's worth noting that Mr. Huang's post features a picture of Jets coach Rex Ryan. The tech blogger's fears about New York supremacy may be well-founded, but perhaps they've been accentuated by defeats in other areas.

mtaylor [at] observer.com | @mbrookstaylor

HAW is a free dating site where members post creative first date ideas. For example, ideas submitted for the Boston HAW launch party/group date include: How about we watch the Boston Ballet perform The Nutcracker at the Boston Opera House...ice skate at Frog Pond...watch the buskers in Harvard Square or perform some group karaoke.

Before you roll your eyes at Beantown, think about how hard it is to come up with an original date. The founders of HAW noticed that dates were being proposed by New Yorkers in waves--there was the taco wave, in vogue last March; followed by a wave of fondue proposals, then on to BYOB dates.

HAW's founders, Aaron Schildkrout and Brian Schechter, seem to favor beer dates themselves, suggesting a brewery tasting as "an excellent Boston date" and reaching out to Smuttynose Brewing Company as a potential partner for the launch party.

They pair certainly seem to have a lot of confidence in their model: The Online Dating Insider--yes, there's a trade pub for online dating--writes that those who sign up now will get a free lifetime membership, suggesting that the site may start charging down the line.

The big player in the free online dating market in New York is hipster favorite OKCupid, which emphasizes quizzes, games, questions and data to encourage its users to get to know each other. It will be interesting to see if HAW's strategy--forcing people to think about ways to get off the Internet--will be more effective.

UPDATE: Turns out the HAW boys are originally from Boston. So even though they launched in NY, this is more of a "you'll always remember your first time" kinda thing.

Leading the effort is Adam Kushner, a greeting card entrepreneur, and a group of potential buyers called the 2100 Trust. The price was not revealed, but if the sale were to go through the group would be overseeing The Boston Globe, Boston.com, and the Worcester Telegraph & Gazette. The group explained its motives in a press release:

The Boston Globe has been a pillar in the city, the Commonwealth and the region for more than a century. We believe that The Boston Globe's strongest days can be ahead. It is essential that the Globe be positioned for its next 100 years. 

New York Times Co. purchased the Beantown paper in 1993 for $1.3 billion. Despite soliciting offers for the sale of the paper a year ago, company spokesperson Abbe Serphos was dismissive of the 2100 Trust's effort to take control of the off-the-market media property. "We do not comment on rumors of acquisitions or divestitures," Serphos said. "The Boston Globe is an important part of The New York Times Company. The Globe has made excellent progress and is on solid financial footing. 

Christopher Meyer, current publisher of The Globe, said New York Times Co. has not yet been approached by Kushner or any other 2100 Trust representative about the speculated proposal.  

nfreeman [at] observer.com | @nfreeman1234

More importantly, as Nick Saint notes, New York -- which has traditionally been viewed as a little brother to Boston on the tech scene -- is now #2 in terms of new startups, while Beantown is a distant fourth.

The $5.4 billion in funding recorded in Q3 2010 is a drop from last quarter and a well below the $6.1 billion from this time last year.

But New York is benefiting from an explosion in early stage seed funding, which has grown tenfold since this time last year.

The small, agile, web-based firms that can afford to operate in the Big Apple's pricey real estate market are taking home a much bigger chunk of overall VC funds. 

Add in the fact that advertising, one of New York's strong suits, is the best funded sector in tech and the report is an strong endorsement of Silicon Alley's future.

Follow me @benpopper

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