The Eiffel Tower dimmed its lights at 8pm Paris time as a powerful visual tribute to the 12 people killed in the Charlie Hebdo attack.

Image source, Getty Images

Imam Hassem Chalghoumi laid flowers at the Place de la Republique. He said that Muslims are also victims because of the kind of backlash that follows.

"We are also afraid of this amalgamation. That's not to say that we don't do our duty in renouncing this barbarism. We have already renounced them. We are one of the first victims. I am living 24 hours a day under police protection, faced with a minority who, unfortunately, all the Muslim world are victims of."

Another who signed the online condolences, as RD in Virginia, wrote:

"I would not have the freedom as an America if it was not for the help France gave us when we fought for our freedom at the beginning of our country. When France is attacked I feel America has been attacked. I will be sending this same message to my congressman. Je suis CHARLIE"

Among them was US Senator Robert Menendez, who offered his condolences and added:

"This horrific attack on an independent media outlet is an attack against our values and our freedoms. France and the United States have stood shoulder to shoulder throughout history to defend these shared ideals, and today, we stand again in solidarity with the French people and its government as they seek to bring to justice the perpetrators of this attack."

The French Embassy in Washington has opened an online condolences page, external and people have been leaving messages of support.

Image source, french embassy washington

A vigil is held at the Place de Republique in Paris for a second night.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

With such a fast-moving story, it's useful to have a summary of all the different elements.

Here's a piece on what we know so far, external

Ahmed emails: The prophet of Islam would cringe and frown at this act of barbarism if he were alive. Arise Muslims and tame the hydra-headed monster called extremism. I do not see how taking the lives of innocent bread winners would avenge the prophet.

Earlier, a pen was held aloft just as the Eiffel Tower prepared to hold its own tribute by dimming its lights.

Image source, Reuters

The White House says President Obama is being briefed on updates from Paris but there has been no specific threat to the US, reports Reuters news agency.

• a policewomen was killed during a shootout in Paris - an incident officials say was an act of terrorism

• nine people are now in custody in connection with the Charlie Hebdo shooting

• security has been stepped up in Paris, said Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, with media outlets, places of worship, schools and embassies given added police protection

This is a picture of the Kouachi brothers, Cherif on the left with Said.

Image source, AP

• a huge manhunt is under way for two brothers - Said and Cherif Kouachi - wanted in connection with Wednesday's shootings that killed 12 people

• teams of heavily armed police are now scouring a large area of woodland about 80km (50 miles) north-east of Paris in the region of Picardy, while searches have also been carried out in the nearby towns of Villers-Cotterets, Longpont and Corcy

• the brothers were identified on Thursday by the manager of a petrol station near Villers-Cotterets, reportedly still masked and armed

• police say the pair, both in their early 30s, were born in eastern Paris to Algerian parents who died when they were still children

@EmilieFiels tweets, external: The Eiffel Tower has just turn off to pay tribute to victims. This day will never be the same :'( ... #CharlieHebdo

Aron Kerpel emails: Yesterday's shootings were outrageous and frightening enough, but nowhere near as frightening than the possible consequences in European politics. Le Pen and Nigel Farage are already using the events to speak up against multiculturalism and immigration. Europe will have to stay strong and united; Christians, Jews and Muslims will have to stand together during these tough times so the journalists of Charlie will not die for nothing.

Rome's city hall is lit in the colours of the Tricolore - blue, white and red.

Image source, AFP

Roger Carter emails: I see no justification for the killing of these journalists but think it wrong of some newspapers to republish the original offending images of Mohammed as an apparent act of defiance. The fact remains that Charlie Hebdo chose to ridicule the faith of several million people, the vast majority of whom are neither 'extremists' nor terrorists. Attacking Islam can't be the way to fight terrorism and it will only widen the divisions in our society.

As expected, the lights on the Eiffel Tower have now been dimmed in honour of those who lost their lives in Wednesday's attack.

Gatherings are still taking place in France and across Europe following Wednesday's attack. The following pictures show supporters of Charlie Hebdo in Paris, Turin and Monaco.

Image source, AFP

Image source, AFP

Image source, AFP

The top law enforcement official in the US, Attorney General Eric Holder, is to travel to Paris on Sunday to attend an international ministerial meeting on counter-terrorism, it's just been announced.