Quick article as it happens (5)
I believe the answer is:
alive
'quick' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'article as it happens' is the wordplay.
'article' becomes 'a' (English indefinite article).
'as it happens' becomes 'live' (as in live broadcasting).
'a'+'live'='ALIVE'
(Other definitions for alive that I've seen before include "Animated, on the ball" , "Still with us" , "Existent" , "Animate, breathing" , "Quick - breathing" .)