Adrid - British enclave of Gibraltar has stopped the work of a so-called tripartite forum which also includes Spain and Britain over what it sees as violations of its territorial waters by Spain, Gibraltar and Spanish media reported Fri

The forum, which in 2004 was the first to allow to participate as Gibraltar an equal partner in the talks on the status.

It is aimed at reducing tension between Madrid and the 6.5-square mile enclave on Spain's southern tip, which ceded to Britain by the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht.

Madrid claims sovereignty over Gibraltar, but London rejected such claims, arguing that Gibraltar's 30,000 inhabitants want to remain British.

Gibraltar Chief Minister Peter Caruana on Thursday accused Spanish police of making constant attacks on the enclave's territorial waters. Spain saw the water as she

Status Quo, Army hit for charity

Rock band Status Quo are releasing a new version of their hit In The Army Now to raise funds for armed forces charities.

The song, in 1986 a number two hit, has been lyrically reworked and has backing vocals from the Corps of Army Music.

Francis Rossi band said, "We want people to celebrate what they do, say thank you and also support these vital charities".

In current weeks the track re-recorded is due to be released on 26 September.

The song will be donated to all procceeds to the Help For Heroes and British Forces Foundation charities.

Rossi added, "It seemed like the right time to do this. This release is intended to show our support for the Allied Forces around the world, but in particular, of course, the British Armed Forces".

A new video to accompany the song, which was filmed partly on location at the Kiwi Barracks in Wiltshire, sees the band being put through their paces in the drill square and getting to grips with some military hardware.

At the London Collage of Music the reworked song was recorded and produced by Pip Williams, who was responsible for the original version.

New AD says WVU wants to keep 'status quo'

West Virginia University needs to be savvy when addressing potential conference realignment scenarios, new athletic director Oliver Luck said Monday.

Luck said he would like to see the Big East continue in its current state, which includes eight members in football and 16 in basketball.

"I certainly think it's safe to say that we'd love to see the Status Quo continue, but like every other university, I think we need to be smart, strategic and try to figure out if X, Y and Z happened, what are our alternatives," Luck said. "We are talking to a lot of folks to make sure we do have potential opportunities should certain contingencies take place."

Big 12 members Colorado and Nebraska have announced their departures for the Pac-10 and Big Ten, respectively. Administrators at Texas and Oklahoma plan to hold meetings this week to determine their conference futures.

Luck said WVU's location in the East and its popularity on network television for basketball and football games makes the university an attraction for potential suitors.

"Obviously it's a challenging time within intercollegiate athletics given all the talk of conference realignment," Luck said. "I think our university has a tremendous opportunity."

WVU President James Clements hired Luck last week and introduced him at the news conference in a building attached to WVU's football stadium that opened in Morgantown in 1980, Luck's junior season. He ranks fourth on the school's all-time passing list and led WVU to a Peach Bowl win over Florida in his final game.

The 50-year-old Luck, who was president of Major League Soccer's Houston Dynamo and served as CEO of NFL Europe, will replace the retiring Ed Pastilong on July 1. Before taking the job, Luck stepped down from the WVU Board of Governors where he served for two years.

"Hardest Working Band for the Year 2009".

Status Quo have been recognised as the hardest-working band in the British music industry.

The Performing Rights Society list also included Cliff Richard And The Shadows, Take That, Coldplay and Kings Of Leon, who took the second, third, fourth and fifth spots respectively, according to BBC News.

The list was compiled based on the number of fans bands performed to in the UK during 2009.Status Quo played to 250,000 people at 27 arenas, putting them at the top of the list.

Frontman Francis Rossi said: "Performing in front of thousands of fans is the ultimate experience for any band.

Status Quo receive OBEs at Buckingham Palace

Status Quo rockers Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt have described being appointed OBEs as the most exceptional moment of their musical careers.
The pair were given the honour for their services to music and charity in the Queen's New Year Honours list.
"It's wonderful that we have been recognised for what we've done," Parfitt said.
The band, whose songs include Rockin' All Over The World, first had a hit in 1968 with Pictures Of Matchstick Men.
"This is the most exceptional moment of our careers - there's no two ways about it," Rossi said.
"Live Aid was contrastingly very different and important, and there was a great euphoric feeling on the day, but nothing can make you forget this.

Status Quo cancel gigs

London: Rockers Status Quo have been forced to scrap three shows after singer/guitarist Rick Parfitt fell ill. The band had to perform in Ipswich, but the gigs had to be cancelled after Parfitt was diagnosed with an upper respiratory tract infection.

"We're really sorry to have to let the fans down, but Rick has picked up an infection and is in no fit state to take to the stage and the last thing we would ever want to do is to give a substandard performance," the Daily Express quoted frontman Francis Rossi as saying on the band's official website.

Meanwhile, organisers have failed to reschedule scrap gigs due to scheduling conflicts and fans have been asked to apply for refunds.

Parfitt underwent heart bypass surgery in 1997 and suffered a cancer scare in 2005 when growths were found in his throat.

The growths were subsequently found to be benign.

STATUS QUO: ROSSI 'I'M AN IDIOT ONSTAGE'

FRANCIS ROSSI STATUS QUO rocker can't bear to watch footage of the band's live shows because he looks like an "idiot" onstage. The Rockin' All Over The World hitmaker admits his moves during the band's concerts make him cringe, so he tries to avoid the television whenever a Quo show is broadcast. He tells DVD & Blu Ray Review magazine, "If I look at something we've done and it's live, I think I'm there. The heart rate goes up and I'm hoping I don't make a mistake, which is kind of stupid. "I don't mind watching the rest of the band but I find it very difficult watching me. There are some things I do physically onstage that make me think, 'You f**king idiot, don't do that.'"