Zaragoza, Spain - The 2008 World Expo on water and sustainable development that ended overnight has been branded a "success," recording 5.65 million visitors since June in the northern Spanish city of Zaragoza, organizers said on Monday.

Organizers had initially said they expected more than 6 million visitors to the Expo.

Visitors included 36 royals, presidents of republics or parliaments, or heads of government, as well as 89 ministers from outside Spain, said Roque Gistau, president of the Expo.

Only 4.6 per cent of the visitors, however, came from outside Spain.

Zaragoza, Spain  - Spanish scientists have invented packaging that keeps bread and other baked goods from going mouldy for up to 10 days, authors of the study said Friday.

The wax paper packaging contains cinnamon oil, which has high antimicrobial activity.

Packaging containing 6 per cent of cinnamon oil inhibited 96 per cent of mould growth, while plain wax paper did not prevent it, according to the study carried out at Zaragoza University.

Scientists have earlier made less efficient attempts to fight mold with different methods, including ultraviolet light, sterile packaging and chemical preservatives, the authors of the study said.

Zaragoza, Spain - Spanish firefighters and soldiers were Thursday combating a wildfire that has consumed 2,200 hectares of forest and bush in two days near Zaragoza in the north, officials said.

Hundreds of people were battling the blaze which was reported under control. About 300 residents of the village of Castejon de Valdejasa who were evacuated have returned home.

The fire was sparked by a car which caught fire in a traffic accident.

Another wildfire near Segovia meanwhile prompted the evacuation of about 100 people from Moral de Hornuez.

Zaragoza, Spain - The northern Spanish city of Zaragoza was Friday preparing to inaugura