The Justice Department has charged a man who squirted apple cider vinegar on Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar at an event in Minneapolis, court papers have revealed.

The man arrested for Tuesday's attack, Anthony Kazmierczak, faces a charge of forcibly assaulting, opposing, impeding and intimidating Omar, according to a complaint filed in federal court.

Authorities determined that the substance was water and apple cider vinegar, the affadavit said.

READ MORE: Congresswoman attacked 'probably' set up the assault, claims Trump

After Kazmierczak sprayed Omar with the liquid, he appeared to say, "She's not resigning. You're splitting Minnesotans apart".

Authorities also say that Kazmierczak told a close associate several years ago that "somebody should kill" Omar, court documents say.

Kazmierczak appeared briefly in federal court Thursday afternoon. His attorney, Jean Brandl, told the judge her client was unmedicated at the time of the incident and has not had access to the medications he needs to treat Parkinson's disease and other serious conditions he suffers from.

US Magistrate Judge Dulce Foster ordered that Kazmierczak remain in custody and told officials he needs to see a nurse when he is transferred to the Sherburne County Jail.

Kazmierczak also faces state charges in Hennepin County for terroristic threats and fifth-degree assault, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced.

"This was a disturbing assault on Representative Omar, who is frequently the target of vilifying language by fellow elected politicians and members of the public," Moriarty said.

"The trust of our community in the federal government keeping politics out of public safety has been eroded by their actions. A state-level conviction is not subject to a presidential pardon now or in the future."

The attack came during a perilous political moment in Minneapolis, where two people have been fatally shot by federal agents during the White House's aggressive immigration crackdown.

READ MORE: Melania Trump's $57m doco on track to bomb at the box office

Kazmierczak has a criminal history and has made online posts supportive of President Donald Trump, a Republican.

Omar, a refugee from Somalia, has long been a fixture of Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric. After she was elected seven years ago, Trump said she should "go back" to her country. He recently described her as "garbage" and said she should be investigated.

During a speech in Iowa earlier this week, shortly before Omar was attacked, he said immigrants need to be proud of the United States — "not like Ilhan Omar".

Omar blamed Trump on Wednesday for threats to her safety.

"Every time the president of the United States has chosen to use hateful rhetoric to talk about me and the community that I represent, my death threats skyrocket," Omar told reporters.

READ MORE: Trump fires his chief enforcer in Minneapolis

Trump accused Omar of staging the attack, telling ABC News, "She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her."

Kazmierczak was convicted of felony auto theft in 1989, has been arrested multiple times for driving under the influence and has had numerous traffic citations, Minnesota court records show. There are also indications he has had significant financial problems, including two bankruptcy filings.

In social media posts, Kazmierczak criticised former president Joe Biden and referred to Democrats as "angry and liars". Trump "wants the US is stronger and more prosperous," he wrote. "Stop other countries from stealing from us."

In another post, Kazmierczak asked, "When will descendants of slaves pay restitution to Union soldiers' families for freeing them/dying for them, and not sending them back to Africa?"

READ MORE: Enormous bruise spotted on Donald Trump's hand

Threats against members of Congress have increased in recent years, peaking in 2021 following the January 6 attack on the US Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters before dipping slightly, only to climb again, according to the most recent figures from the US Capitol Police.

Officials said they investigated nearly 15,000 "concerning statements, behaviours, and communications directed against Members of Congress, their families, staff, and the Capitol Complex" in 2025.

READ MORE: Has Trump really ended eight wars? Fact-checking the president's claim

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has brought months of a stalemate to an end after striking a $25 billion health deal with the states and territories at the 11th hour.

The national cabinet met this morning to reach a new five-year funding agreement for public hospitals.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Albanese said the federal government has agreed to pay an additional $25 billion for public hospitals, taking the total up to a record $219.6 billion over the next five years.

READ MORE: Australian government 'monitoring' Nipah virus closely

"We've reached a landmark agreement to deliver record funding to state and territory hospitals, but also secure the future of the National Disability Insurance Scheme," he said.

"The agreement represents one of the most significant national reforms in living memory. These reforms will ensure Australians continue to access world-class healthcare as well as disability support.

"This is three times more additional funding for public hospitals than was agreed to under the last five-year agreement."

Albanese thanked the state and territory leaders for finding common ground after what he said was a "long period of time" and keeping the focus on patients and not politics.

READ MORE: Call to name 'silent killer' claiming Australian lives

The deal was $2 billion more than what Albanese offered in December, but the federal government was under pressure to reach an agreement today ahead of the South Australian government entering caretaker mode from February 21 for the state election.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler had admitted there would not be enough time to secure a deal before the current funding agreement expired on June 30 if one was not reached today.

"I've said very honestly and clearly I think that the runway is getting shorter for a 5-year deal to be negotiated this side on 30 June," he told reporters yesterday. 

Under the 2023 agreement, the federal government agreed to increase its share of public hospital funding to 42.5 per cent by 2030 and 45 per cent by 2035 in exchange for the states and territories to help fund disability services.

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here

New vision shows the moment police fired at an allegedly stolen vehicle seconds after it reversed into a bus full of terrified students in Geelong.

An allegedly stolen Kia Optima reversed into the school bus on LaTrobe Terrace in Newtown about 3.45pm yesterday after police tried to intercept the car.

Terrified students could be heard screaming inside the bus as shots rang out right in front of them.

READ MORE: Melbourne nail salon firebombed twice in two days

"This is my first time on a bus, my first day here," a girl could be heard saying from behind the camera.

"That's not the best experience for the first day of Year 7."

Vision showed the bus driver asking the students to remain seated before using his radio to alert his colleagues to the unfolding incident.

"We've just had a shootout," he said.

The terrifying incident unfolded in front of Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College.

"There were other parents running as well, there were people in suits and dads just trying to get down to their kids," parent Mylea Adams said.

Police allege that after reversing into the bus, the stolen car drove at officers, triggering one to draw their gun and fire a shot.

The Kia then T-boned another car before the two occupants fled on foot, police allege.

Police gave chase and arrested them both near the scene.

The chase was sparked after the Police Airwing spotted the Kia, allegedly stolen from NSW, near the intersection of Princes Highway and Roebuck Street about 3.40pm.

A 43-year-old woman from NSW was taken to hospital under police guard with minor injuries.

She was interviewed by detectives and has been charged with handling stolen goods.

The woman was bailed to appear before Geelong Magistrates Court on March 31.

A 37-year-old man of no fixed address was taken to hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the arm.

He remains in hospital under police guard.

READ MORE: Australian government 'monitoring' Nipah virus closely

The occupants of the school bus were not injured, while the driver of car that was t-boned was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The investigation remains ongoing with Professional Standards Command oversight, as is standard practice when a police firearm is discharged.

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here

A driver who mowed down a scooter rider believing he had an affair with his girlfriend and then deliberately concealed his involvement in the crime has been jailed.

Shaun Baensch's girlfriend told him "don't be an idiot, just keep driving" as he followed an e-scooter rider on his way home.

But he did not listen.

READ MORE: Man who squirted vinegar on politician is charged with assaulting and intimidating her

After Baensch's release from prison for an armed robbery, he heard rumours about Bryce Trower and his girlfriend being in a relationship.

Filled with jealous rage, on December 11, 2023, he drove into Trower, who flew off his Segway Ninebot e-scooter and hit the ute's windscreen.

Trower was thrown seven metres into the air before landing on the road, and Baensch drove off leaving the 31-year-old for dead.

Nearby residents tried to save Trower, but he died at the scene, on Forster Street in the Geelong suburb of Norlane.

Baensch avoided apprehension for the killing for several months after taking what a judge today labelled as "calculated steps" to conceal his involvement.

This included removing parts of the ute the day after and then getting a friend to store the vehicle at their home.

He also lied to police, claiming Trower had fallen in front of his vehicle, and at one point joked to an associate about having "done a Bryce" when he fell off a scooter.

READ MORE: Man charged after large knife allegedly found in bag at Brisbane Airport

"All this behaviour post the offence must be seen as having been motivated by self-preservation," Supreme Court Justice Peter Kidd told Baensch as he sentenced him.

"It showed complete disregard for Mr Trower's welfare."

Baensch, who last year pleaded guilty to manslaughter and failure to stop over the fatal hit-and-run, was arrested over Trower's death in May 2024.

He claimed he had intended to knock Trower off the scooter, but not kill him, after being "driven crazy" by rumours about him and his girlfriend.

"I was just trying to nudge him, and I didn't go to plan," he told police.

Justice Kidd found Baensch's manslaughter was a very serious example of the offence as it was not an accident and he had deliberately hit Trower.

"Collisions involving motor vehicles and pedestrians, or riders, are often referred to as accidents, the collision with Mr Trower was no accident," he said.

"Your unlawful act, deliberately striking Mr Trower with your motor vehicle, was an extremely dangerous act."

He sentenced Baensch to a maximum of 10 years and six months in prison, and ordered he spend seven years behind bars before he will be eligible for parole.

Baensch has already served one year and eight months of his sentence.

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play

• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here

• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan have announced an additional $158 million will go towards communities impacted by Victorian bushfires.

Addressing the media from Victoria's State Control Centre, Albanese announced the funds will bring the total Commonwealth‑State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for the fires to $329 million.

"This includes funds for clean-up programs, for emergency recovery support programs, to support businesses, to support local government across a range of areas," Albanese said.

READ MORE: Man arrested for allegedly impersonating FBI agent in foiled attempt to free Luigi Mangione

"In addition to that, money to help repair public land and waterways, money for recovery water tanks rebates, funding across the board where it's needed.

"We want to make sure that people know the government will be there at difficult times."

It is the second major funding announcement from the Prime Minister today, after Albanese struck a $25 billion deal to help fund public hospitals across the country.

The announcement marks an expansion of a joint $171 million disaster recovery payment support package announced for fire-impacted communities earlier this month.

Allan said the first funding stage addressed "immediate relief" measures including hardship payments, fodder, prolonged power outages and emergency accommodation funding.

Today's announcement would focus on the next phase of the fire recovery, Allan said.

"A significant component of this funding is focused on the clean-up, and a lead contractor has been appointed and will work with those communities on the clean-up," she said.

Ongoing and additional mental health support and temporary accommodation would also be allocated from today's package expansion.

The Allan government will inject an extra $2 million for mental health services at schools within fire-affected areas.

The Harcourt Cooperative Cool Store will receive a $500,000 cash splash to rebuild after fire tore through the facility.

More than 95 businesses in Harcourt and the surrounding region relied on the facility to keep apples, pears, seed potatoes, wine, craft beer and beehives at temperature before it succumbed to fire.

Affected individuals can call the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760

READ MORE: Alleged Lone Wolf bikie associate one of two charged over woman's kidnapping

Victorian fires claim more than 1550 structures

More than 400,000 hectares of land has been scorched by bushfires over the last month alone.

The fires have razed more than 1550 structures, Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said.

More than 400 homes have been destroyed, including 320 houses flattened and 19 severely damaged in the Longwood fire.

Crews were able to bring the Lake Barracoota, Rich River, Rocklands and Larralea blazes under control yesterday.

"In good news, we've gone from eight major fires now to four major fires that are still active at this time," Wiebusch said.

That means the Longwood, Walwa, Carlisle River and Dargo/Wonnangatta fires are the only fires that continue to burn.

READ MORE: Man who squirted vinegar on politician is charged with assaulting and intimidating her

The Longwood fire is now contained and hasn't moved in recent days thanks to firefighter efforts.

"Both of [the Wonnangatta and Carlisle River] fires really won't be safe until we see decent rain, and there's no forecast rain in the near future," Wiebusch said.

"Both of those fires have remained in containment lines in recebt days and we're hoping come early next week those fires may be deemed in fact contained."

Four watch and acts warnings remain in place across the state, where it's still deemed too unsafe to return to several communities in the Walwa and Carlisle River fire zones.

Residents in Gellibrand, Lovat and sections of Carlisle River are unable to return to their properties due to fire danger from Carlisle River blaze, after they were evacuated on Tuesday.

"We are hopeful that over the weekend we will be able to get residents back into the Gellibrand communities," Wiebusch said.

The Carlisle River blaze has destroyed nine homes and significantly damaged two others. Twenty-five outbuildings were also lost to the blaze.

The Gellibrand community still doesn't have access to safe drinking water after the fire "badly impacted" the town's water treatment plant.

Barwon Water has restored some water to Gellibrand for toilets and showers, and a potable water station has been set up.

Walwa fire faces next test

Three watch and act warnings remain in place over the Walwa fire zone.

Those in Berringama, parts of Bullioh, Koetong, Lucyvale and Shelley, Bucheen Creek, Cravensville and parts of the southern end of the Nariel Valley and surrounds can't go back to their properties near the Walwa bushfire either.

READ MORE: Urgent safety warning issued over counterfeit melatonin sleep supplements

The Walwa fire is expected to "come under pressure" in the next 24 hours with the arrival of increased winds and 40 degree temperatures, but crews hope to also bring that blaze under control early next week.

Fourteen homes have been destroyed by the Walwa fire and two have been significantly damaged, in addition to 93 damaged or destroyed structures. 

Warnings have been reduced in areas surrounding the fire activity zones in recent days.

A state of disaster remains in place across Victoria and the landscape remains very dry, Wiebusch said.

Dry lightning forecast across Victoria on Saturday and early Sunday could pose a risk.

"We need the community to remain vigilant, if you do see flames or new fires start then please ring through to Triple Zero so we can get our fire crews onto them as soon as we can," Wiebusch said.

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play

• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here

• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here

Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark are set to visit Australia in March for an anticipated six-day tour.

During the visit from March 14 to 19, the couple will attend a number of business and cultural engagements.

This will be their fourth official visit to Australia and their first since the King's ascension to the Danish throne.

READ MORE: PM, premier announce extra $160m for bushfire-affected communities in Victoria

In a statement tonight, the palace said: "The state visit will further develop the already strong relations between Australia and Denmark, both culturally, economically and in foreign policy.

"A strengthened partnership with Australia is particularly important at a time when geopolitical upheavals have economic and security policy consequences that bind developments in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region together.

"Building on the strategic partnership that was entered into between Australia and Denmark in 2023, the state visit will strengthen cooperation in a wide range of areas, including green transition and economic security."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he felt honoured to welcome the royals to Australia.

"It is wonderful that the visit includes many parts of our great country, from the Northern Territory to Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, and of course Tasmania," he said.

"Denmark and Australia are great friends, and together we are working to build a more sustainable, secure and peaceful future.

"This visit is an opportunity to deepen our cooperation across a number of shared interests such as sustainability, renewable energy and innovation.

"Their Majesties The King and Queen of Denmark have a very special connection with Australia, and I know Australians will welcome them."

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here

The owner said she chose the name because she “wanted to be a little bit different”.

The jury panel is now down to 11 after a member improperly looked up the mansion’s value.

Australian Iain Jensen is the second non-national to join, along with Chris Draper.

Strict reporting conditions mean nothing else can be said about the judge’s decision.