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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) Soul singer Erykah Badu said Wednesday she holds no grudge against Malaysia's government for barring her from performing after a photograph of her body art offended some Muslims.

More than 1,500 people had bought tickets to watch the Grammy-winning American singer at a Kuala Lumpur auditorium Wednesday, but Malaysia's information minister announced on the eve of the concert that it could not proceed because a promotional photo of Badu with the Arabic word for Allah painted on her bare shoulders was "an insult to Islam."

"It's sad, because we traveled a long way," Badu told a news conference. "But I'm totally understanding of (the minister's) protection of the laws and its people. He doesn't want anything to happen. I'm good with that."

The photograph ignited criticism from some politicians and religious groups in Muslim-majority Malaysia after a newspaper published it Monday in a feature to promote Badu's show. The daily has since apologized for what it called an "oversight" that led to the photo's publication.

Badu, 41, said the photo was inspired by images from "The Holy Mountain," a 1973 surrealist movie by Chilean-French filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky.

"I think art is often misunderstood in the realm of religion, and it's OK," she said. "In America, it's a lot different. Art is also misunderstood but it is not such a harsh gesture to promote the names of God. I am learning and understanding about Islam in other countries more as we travel."

Information Minister Rais Yatim said Malaysia's Cabinet endorsed the ban Wednesday. Police feared that if the concert went ahead, it could cause "various situations that may lead to social excitement, and quarrels may break out due to religious sensitivities," the national news agency, Bernama, quoted the minister as saying.

Public reaction to the concert ban has been divided. On Twitter, many Malaysians, including Muslims, accused the government of intolerance, but others praised authorities for being firm about defending religious principles.

Badu said she would "absolutely" welcome another chance to perform in Malaysia someday. She is scheduled to sing at a jazz festival this weekend in Jakarta, the capital of neighboring Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation.

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Erykah Badu sad but not angry over Malaysian ban

By HAROLD HECKLE Associated Press

MADRID (AP) - Spanish carrier Iberia on Friday launched a new low-cost airline, Iberia Express, which aims to claim a stake in the highly competitive no-frills sector of the European market.

The new airline is part of a plan by parent company International Consolidated Airlines Group to increase profitability after the merger of its component parts, British Airways and Iberia.

Iberia Express will initially cover Vigo, Santiago and Granada on Spain's mainland and its island destinations of Menorca, Ibiza, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and La Palma. It will expand internationally to Ireland, Italy, Greece, Latvia and Netherlands, chief executive Luis Gallego said at a press conference.

"The containment of costs will allow Iberia Express to grow and compete with the low-cost operators," said Gallego, adding that although the new airline will be managed independently, it will employ Iberia's maintenance and other services.

Inaugural flights will take off Sunday, although the company's website was not up and running Friday afternoon. Prices begin at 25 ($33) one-way with a surcharge for checking in luggage and booking seats in advance.

The new company employs 500 staff and has a fleet of four Airbus 320 planes, although there are plans to increase this to 14 aircraft by the end of the year and up 40 by 2015.

The airline is the subject of a protracted labor dispute between Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana SA and Spain's main pilots' union, Sepla - which held 12 days of work stoppages in December and January to protest the low-cost airline.

Sepla pilots argue Iberia Express would mean job losses among the 1,600 pilots who work for the main airline - a claim disputed by Iberia.

Sepla had announced nine days of strikes in April and May but called them off following government mediation and has agreed to negotiate further with Iberia.

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Hometownstations.com-WLIO- Lima, OH News Weather SportsSpain's Iberia unveils low cost Iberia Express

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The buildup for the house party on Allison Road was brazen - spread rapidly and broadly through Twitter, Facebook and fliers for days in advance. Free liquor all night, bikinis, foam and disc jockeys were promised for an entry fee of at least $10.

When the event - held at what some called "the mansion" - eventually happened last week, it spiraled out of control with hundreds attending, streets crammed with vehicles and a shooting that left one high school senior dead.

The slaying has trained a spotlight on the large-scale, sometimes illegal parties spread through social media. Authorities and experts say while teenage partying is not a new phenomenon, such large-scale, organized events spread through social media are growing and difficult to monitor.

Meanwhile, neighbors and the family of the 18-year-old - whose funeral is Saturday - are asking what more could have been done to prevent his death.

"It was too late by the time the party occurred," said Assistant Chief Brian Lumpkin of the Houston Police Department. "Because of social media, the party drew folks into the neighborhood."

The house in a quiet southeast Houston neighborhood was notorious for previous loud, raucous parties, neighbors said. Officials said the gathering was likely illegal from the beginning, held without a permit and serving alcohol to teens.

Two off-duty HPD officers provided security at the party, but had left before the shooting.

As many as 600 people are estimated to have attended the March 13 gathering, which fell during spring break for many of the high-schoolers. Around midnight, HPD officers arrived, responding to noise complaints and gunshots.

Ownership unclear

Police are trying to determine who shot Ryan Spikes, interviewing witnesses and attempting to find out who allowed the party to take place. It is unclear who owns the property, and police are not releasing the name of the occupant, who officers said is the nephew of the former owner.

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Party that turned deadly highlights social media's role in partying