Pep Biel scores a goal, Charlotte beats Montreal 1-0

MONTREAL (AP) — Pep Biel scored a goal, Kristijan Kahlina had two saves and Charlotte FC beat CF Montreal 1-0 on Saturday.

Kahlina has three shutouts this season for Charlotte (5-2-1).

Biel had a shot from the right corner of the 6-yard box blocked by defender George Campbell, but the rebound bounced back to Biel for a one-touch finish inside the back post.

Montreal (0-6-2), playing at home after seven consecutive road games to open the season, had 65% possession and outshot Charlotte 19-8. Montreal lost its home opener for the first time since moving to Stade Saputo in 2019 and fell to 3-1-0 against Charlotte at home.

Jonathan Sirois had three saves for Montreal.

Charlotte has won back-to-back games and four of its last five.

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CF Montréal forward Prince Owusu (9) brings the ball down as Charlotte FC's Nathan Byrne (14) moves in during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Montreal, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

Charlotte FC's Ashley Westwood (8) gets away from CF Montréal's Victor Loturi (22) and Samuel Piette (6) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Montreal, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

CF Montréal defender Luca Petrasso (13) gets away from Charlotte FC's Nathan Byrne (14) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Montreal, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

CF Montréal's Prince Osei Owusu (9 ) and Charlotte FC's Adilson Malanda (29) go up for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Montreal, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

CF Montréal's Prince Osei Owusu (9) gets away from Charlotte FC's Adilson Malanda (29) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Montreal, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

CF Montréal's Prince Owusu (9) moves in on Charlotte FC goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina (1) as Charlotte's Adilson Malanda (29) defends during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Montreal, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

LONDON (AP) — Five years after COVID-19 triggered national lockdowns, economic uncertainty and killed millions, the World Health Organization’s member countries agreed on a draft “pandemic treaty” that sets guidelines for how the international community might confront the next global health crisis.

After the world’s largely disastrous response to the coronavirus, countries tasked the WHO with overseeing a pandemic treaty in 2021; negotiations concluded early Wednesday on an agreement expected to be adopted next month at the U.N. health agency's annual meeting in Geneva.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus heralded it as a historic moment, saying countries have proven that “in our divided world, nations can still work together to find common ground and a shared response.”

Following U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the country from the WHO in January, American officials were barred from participating in the talks and are not expected to sign the treaty. During COVID-19, it was largely American research and development that produced the most effective vaccines and medicines.

Weeks after Trump’s decision, Argentina’s President Javier Milei also exited the WHO, citing “profound differences” with the U.N. agency.

Rachael Crockett, of the advocacy group Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, described the draft pandemic treaty as “a product of compromise.” She said it contained strong provisions, but only if countries chose to implement them. “This could change what we saw in COVID, when some populations didn’t get access to what they needed.”

The draft treaty notably includes a provision to guarantee that countries that share critical virus samples receive any resulting tests, medicines and vaccines, with the WHO to hold up to 20% of such products to ensure poorer countries get supplies. Negotiations on this provision are expected to continue after the treaty is likely accepted by member countries in May.

Crockett acknowledged that as is often the case with international law, there are few consequences for countries that don’t comply: “There’s not much that can be done if countries choose not to ratify or abide by it.”

Yuanqiong Hu, of aid organization Doctors Without Borders, said that if disputes arise between countries, the treaty includes a mechanism for them to use diplomatic channels, followed by arbitration.

Countries are already legally bound by the International Health Regulations to do things like quickly report dangerous new outbreaks. But those have been flouted repeatedly, including by African countries during Ebola and other outbreaks, China in the early stages of COVID-19 and arguably the U.S. amid its ongoing bird flu epidemic.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

FILE -Angels Trepat, 59, says through a window goodbye to her mother Angelina, 91, after visiting her at the Icaria nursing home in Barcelona, Spain, Friday, Nov. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti, File)

FILE - Dolores Reyes Fernández, 61, hugs her father, José Reyes Lozano, 87, for the first time in nearly four months as visits resume at the nursing home in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, June 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti, File)

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