December 10, 2001

Ironwrokers, firefighters face extra physical and psychological challenges working overnight shift to clear debris from underground levels of collapsed World Trade Center towers; have removed estimated half of rubble, or about 600,000 tons of steel and debris, but count their success not in metal or tonnage, but in number of bodies recovered; for them, work remains recovery operation and will be to end, despite pressure from contractors in charge and decrees from City Hall; photos (M)

New York State Gov George Pataki, New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Mayor-elect Michael Bloomberg fly to Jerusalem; visit site where 2 suicide bombers took 11 lives and visit those wounded in attack; vow that Israel and US will fight together in war against terrorism; photo (M)

Painkiller Trouble Spot The maker of the painkiller OxyContin did not heed warnings that a clinic in Myrtle Beach, S.C., was an apparent hotbed of abuse, according to some pharmacists and a law enforcement official. PAGE A16

Joyce Purnick Metro Matters column discusses scene at Citizens Budget Commission conference in Rockland County, NY; notes there are conflicting thoughts concerning New York City's budget with some feeling that budget is in dire straits while others contend situation is not so bad (M)

Elvis Mitchell Critic's Notebook on quirky independent productions of Handmade Films, company George Harrison founded in late 1970's to make kind of movies he enjoyed; photos (M)