Terrof funding 'a punch in the gut'.

Los Angeles-area leaders on Wednesday blasted federal officials for slashing anti-terrorism funding to the region by 10 percent even as new reports suggest that the terrorist al-Qaida network is strengthening and may be poised for another U.S. strike. Rachel Uranga and Lisa Friedman in the Daily News.

Under the plan, the Long Beach-Los Angeles region - a previously acknowledged 2002 terrorist target - will get $73 million, or $8 million less than last year.

Noting that other areas such as Orange and San Diego counties saw increases, Los Angeles-area officials called the cuts a punch in the gut and warned that they will undermine efforts to build intelligence gathering, upgrade radio communications and train hundreds of officers in anti-terrorism.