their plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Bermuda yesterday.

A total of 111 passengers and crew were on United Airlines' flight 987 from New York to Sao Paulo, Brazil on Tuesday night when one of the plane's engines failed.

Local Police, 21 firefighters, and Harbour Radio were called out to standby in case they were needed.

But the Boeing 767 diverted to the Civil Air Terminal shortly after 1 a.m.

yesterday without incident.

Passengers and crew were accommodated at Grotto Bay Hotel overnight.

The passengers left Bermuda yesterday for Brazil via a regular flight to New York and a connecting flight from Miami. The crew were scheduled to leave for Miami at 6 p.m. on the repaired aircraft.

SOMERSET BIDDING FOR NEW BUSINESS BUC Somerset bidding for new business Somerset merchants are going all out to bring business into the Village.

The Somerset Business Group, will launch a series of events, beginning next weekend, to attract more customers.

The first event of the series will be a community day on May 6, beginning at 6 p.m. with a parade from Mangrove Bay to Dean's Bakery on Manchester Street.

The Somerset Brigade Band and the Warwick Majorettes will make their way through the street which will be closed to traffic until 9 p.m.

Street vendors and carriage rides for children will also be available.

And the Somerset Business Group will hand out brochures containing coupons for discounts in their various businesses the following week.

Spokesperson for the group Mrs. Sheryl Martins said flea markets and other special events will be held throughout the Somerset area in the coming months "so that everybody can benefit''.

CABBIE FOILS ROBBERY BID CRM Cabbie foils robbery bid A taxi driver managed to foil a passenger's attempt to rob him early yesterday morning.

The driver told Police the incident occurred after dropping the passenger off at Brunswick Street shortly after 4 a.m.

The passenger tried to grab a handful of notes as the driver was looking for change.

The driver said he held onto the money, but the passenger escaped with several torn notes, mainly $20, $10 and $5 US and Bermuda bills.

The passenger was described as a brown-skinned male, six-feet tall, 180 pounds, in his late 20s, and he was wearing a green/grey zippered hooded jacket.

Anyone who can assist Police is asked to contact Central CID at 295-0011.

MUSIC SESSIONS SET ED Music sessions set The Bermuda Arts Council is sponsoring a series of classes in rock, pop, jazz, and big band music.

The classes, which start tonight and run until June 28, are to be taught through the Dunbarton School of Music every Wednesday night for ten weeks at Peace Lutheran Church on South Road, Paget.

Teachers Dr. Susan Levasseur and Mr. James Burn will lead a Music Theatre for Kids class from 5.15 p.m. to 6.45 p.m. at a cost of $90.

From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Mr. Jack Kripl will teach a jazz theory class, open to all instruments, ages, and levels. The cost is $100.

From 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., Mr. Kripl will teach a big band workshop, open to those who play saxophones, trombones, trumpets, drums, piano, and bass. The cost is $60.

Interested people can telephone Dunbarton at 295-5284.

BOMB EXERCISE POL Bomb exercise The Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal team will be conducting a training exercise at the US Naval Annex today.

Police said loud explosions can be expected in the area and residents should not be alarmed.

FIREWORKS DISPLAY EVL Fireworks display The Southampton Princess will hold a firework display tomorrow evening.

Police said the display will begin at 9.30 p.m.

Elbow Beach Hotel held a firework display between 8.30 and 9.30 p.m. last night.