Today is Wednesday, May 7, the 127th day of 2025. There are 238 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On May 7, 1915, a German U-boat torpedoed and sank the British liner RMS Lusitania off the southern coast of Ireland, killing 1,198 people, including 128 Americans, out of the nearly 2,000 on board.

Also on this date:

In 1945, Nazi Germany signed an unconditional surrender at Allied headquarters in Rheims, France, ending its role in World War II.

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In 1954, the 55-day Battle of Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam ended with Vietnamese insurgents overrunning French forces; it would be the last major battle of the First Indochina War.

In 1975, President Gerald R. Ford formally declared an end to the “Vietnam era.” In Ho Chi Minh City — formerly Saigon — the Viet Cong celebrated its takeover.

In 1977, Seattle Slew won the Kentucky Derby, the first of his Triple Crown victories.

In 1984, Monsanto and six other chemical companies agreed to pay a $180 million settlement to Vietnam veterans who were exposed to the chemical herbicide Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.

In 2020, Georgia authorities arrested a white father and son and charged them with murder in the February shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery, a Black man they had pursued in a truck after spotting him running in their neighborhood near the port city of Brunswick. (The two men and a third white man would be convicted of murder in state court and hate crimes in federal court.)

Today’s Birthdays:

Singer Thelma Houston is 82.
Rock musician Bill Kreutzmann (Grateful Dead) is 79.
Actor/former boxer Randall “Tex” Cobb is 75.
Actor Breckin Meyer is 51.
Reggaeton musician J Balvin is 40.
Actor-comedian Aidy Bryant is 38.
Actor-writer Maya Erskine is 38.
Actor Alexander Ludwig is 33.
YouTube personality MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) is 27.

All of the doom and gloom surrounding the Timberwolves would suggest they lost the series on Tuesday night at Target Center.

They actually might’ve won it.

As maddening as the Timberwolves were for the entirety of their 99-88 loss to the Golden State Warriors, truthfully, there isn’t much to worry about if Steph Curry’s strained hamstring keeps him out for an extended period of time.

Never mind that Anthony Edwards looked like he had indulged himself at Cowboy Jack’s before tipoff.

Never mind that everybody on the Timberwolves forgot how to shoot for a prolonged stretch.

Never mind that the home crowd went from booing Jimmy Butler every time he touched the ball to booing for a completely different reason.

None of that matters if Curry isn’t able to return to the Western Conference Semifinals in short order.

This isn’t absolving the Timberwolves of their sins. Not in the slightest. They deserve some sort of reckoning for the embarrassing effort they put forth on their home court.

As bad as the Timberwolves played, however, the reality is they only lost by 11 points when everything was said and done.

It should’ve been a blowout with how poorly the Timberwolves executed for the better part of 48 minutes. It wasn’t because the Warriors aren’t capable of that type of dominance without Curry leading the charge.

That’s not taking anything away from Butler, who finished a couple of assists shy of a triple double, Draymond Green, who was everything his teammates need him to be and more, or Buddy Hield, who led all scorers with 24 points.

That’s simply stating a fact about the Warriors. The car has always been specifically designed for Curry. It doesn’t work with somebody else in the driver’s seat.

It’s a shame for the Warriors because they looked more than capable of pulling off the upset before Curry got injured on a seemingly innocuous play in real time.

Not only did the Warriors use constant ball movement on offense to get pretty much whatever they wanted, they rotated perfectly on on defense to more than make up for the size they were surrendering at almost every position.

After looking so impressive against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Timberwolves suddenly found themselves in a street fight with the Warriors.

Everything changed when Curry suffered a strained hamstring after nailing a floater in the lane and coming up lame. He immediately grabbed at the back of his leg, then retreated back to the locker room as soon as there was a dead ball. He did not return to the bench at any point.

Not long after the final buzzer sounded in Game 1, Steve Kerr came out and said the Warriors are planning as if they won’t have their best player available for Game 2. It’s hard to imagine the Warriors being able to summon the willpower to press on with Curry watching from the sidelines.

A similar sequence played out nearly a decade ago with the Warriors on the opposite end in the early stages of their dynastic run.

After looking so impressive throughout the playoffs, the Warriors suddenly found themselves in a street fight with the San Antonio Spurs.

Everything changed when Kawhi Leonard suffered a sprained ankle after awkwardly on Zaza Pachulia’s foot following a jumper in the corner. His absence resulted in the Spurs coughing up a massive lead, and after the Warriors managed to complete the comeback, they dominated the rest of the way en route to sweeping the Western Conference Finals.

Though the Timberwolves can’t sweep the Western Conference Semifinals — their putrid performance made sure that can no longer happen — they still find themselves in very good position to win the series.

Even if a frustrated fan base is struggling to see it.

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Golden State was rolling Minnesota early in the second quarter of Game 1 of Tuesday’s Western Conference semifinal series at Target Center.

But then an unfortunate event that figures to change the course of the series occurred, as Warriors star guard Steph Curry pulled up lame and left the game with a hamstring strain. He did not return.

Surely, Minnesota recovered from there, Golden State sans the man its entire offense is built around.

Or, you know, not.

Frankly, it was Minnesota’s offense that looked like it was missing a key part or five in its 99-88 defeat at the hands of short-handed Golden State.

Minnesota went 0 for 15 from 3-point range in the first half, after going 7 for 47 in its closeout victory over the Lakers last week. But the offensive struggles extended far beyond shots not falling. Golden State’s rotations and attention to detail were far more crisp than anything Los Angeles put forth in the last round.

Minnesota stopped moving the ball and its bodies. The Wolves were stuck in the mud. They trailed by 23 at one point in the third frame.

Minnesota finally attacked the rack in the fourth quarter, putting together a mini rally to pull within nine in the final six minutes, but a consecutive pair of buckets from Jimmy Butler and Buddy Hield finally ended Golden State’s offensive drought to build the lead back to 14.

Game 2 is on Thursday in Minneapolis. It would appear to be a longshot that Curry would be ready for that contest. And, depending on the severity of his injury, Curry’s series could be over. That would likely ultimately mean another appearance in the West Finals for Minnesota, regardless of how poorly it played Tuesday.

But if Curry is able to return at some point in the series, Minnesota will rue its inexcusable performance in front of a riled up home crowd.

Golden State was less than 48 hours removed from a Game 7 victory in Houston that wrapped a grueling, two-week battle. Minnesota had five days ahead of Game 1. You never would’ve known that judging off the performances of the two teams.

For the game, Minnesota went 34 for 86 from the field, including 5 for 29 from distance. Anthony Edwards was particularly bad. The star guard didn’t play with any force or purpose and was shut out until he finally made a free throw midway through the third frame.

Hield led Golden State with 24 points, while Draymond Green had 18 and Butler had 20 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.

By VANESSA GERA, Associated Press

VATICAN CITY (AP) — One hundred and thirty-three cardinals are sequestering themselves behind the Vatican’s medieval walls for the start of a conclave starting Wednesday to elect a successor to Pope Francis.

Here are some things to know about the election of the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church, which has 1.4 billion faithful across the world.

Why is the conclave being held now?

The conclave was called after Francis died on April 21 at age 88. There was a delay between his death and the conclave to allow time for a funeral, burial and a period of mourning. It was also necessary to give cardinals time to arrive in Rome from all corners of the Earth, and to let them get acquainted before entering the conclave, an ancient ritual steeped in mystery and ritual.

What happens in a conclave?

The cardinals are cut off from the world at the Vatican, between residences and the Sistine Chapel, where they vote in secret — and in silence — beneath Michelangelo’s famed ceiling fresco of the Creation and his monumental “Last Judgment.”

In this image made available on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 by Vatican Media, Vatican Master of Ceremonies Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli takes the oath of secrecy for all those assigned to the conclave during a ceremony in the Pauline Chapel at the Vatican, Monday, May 5, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP)

The process — fictionalized in the 2024 political thriller “Conclave” — is said to be guided by the Holy Spirit, and is designed to be both contemplative and free from outside interference.

Taking no chances, the Vatican is asking cardinals to hand over their phones for the duration of the conclave and is deactivating cell phone coverage at the Vatican. It also plans to use signal jammers around the Sistine Chapel and the Domus Santa Marta hotel and adjacent residence where the cardinals will sleep, in order to prevent surveillance and communication with the outside world.

White or black smoke signals?

The electors cast paper ballots, and voting continues until one candidate receives a two-thirds majority, or 89 votes. After two rounds of voting, ballots are burned in a special stove — black smoke signals no decision, while white smoke means a new pope has been chosen.

The Sistine Chapel, where cardinals will gather to elect the new pope, is seen Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP)

Electors must be under 80 years old, and are more geographically diverse than ever. They represent Catholicism’s growing presence in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as well as its traditional power base in Europe.

How long does it take?

The longest conclave in history lasted nearly three years, but it’s reasonable to assume that this conclave will be much, much shorter.

Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti arrives at the Vatican, Monday, May 5, 2025, to attend the General Congregation of cardinals in the New Synod Hall where they are preparing for the upcoming conclave starting on May 7, to elect the 267th Roman pontiff. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Cardinals this week said they expect a short conclave, though it will likely take at least a few rounds of voting. The conclave opens late afternoon Wednesday. Cardinals are expected to hold the first round of voting on Wednesday, but there is no requirement that they do so.

For most of the past century, it has taken between three and eight ballots to find a pope. John Paul I — the pope who reigned for 33 days — was elected on the third ballot in 1978. His successor, St. John Paul II, needed eight. Francis was elected on the fifth in 2013.

Who are the contenders?

There are no official candidates for the papacy, but some cardinals are considered “papabile,” or possessing the characteristics necessary to become pope.

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After John Paul II broke the Italian hold on the papacy in 1978, the field has broadened considerably, such that cardinals from far-flung countries are now seen as contenders. The past three popes have hailed from Poland (John Paul II), Germany (Benedict XVI) and Argentina (Francis).

Of the 133 cardinals expected to vote at the conclave, 108 were appointed by Francis. They may feel a loyalty to continuing his legacy — even though the late pontiff didn’t choose cardinals based on ideology, but rather for their pastoral priorities and geographical diversity.

Beyond that, the cardinals will consider practical matters, like age. Picking a relatively young man — say in his 60s — could result in a papacy of 20 years or longer.

Picking a pope from where the church is growing – Asia or Africa – could bring more upheaval to the Vatican’s Italian-heavy bureaucracy that is still smarting from the Argentine pope’s go-it-alone style.

What happens after a new pope is chosen?

Once a candidate receives the necessary votes and accepts, he chooses a papal name and enters the “Room of Tears” — named for the emotional weight of the responsibility ahead — to don his papal vestments.

Papal vestments of three different sizes hang in the Room of the Tears, a chamber next to the Sistine Chapel where the new pope dresses before appearing on the balcony, at the Vatican, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP)

Minutes later, he is introduced to the world from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica with the proclamation in Latin: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!” (“I bring you tidings of great joy: We have a pope!”)

That will be immediately followed by the revelation of his baptismal name, in Latin, followed by the papal name he has chosen.

A line that stretches back to St. Peter and Jesus

Every new pope is seen as a successor to St. Peter, the apostle believed by Catholics to have been appointed by Jesus as the head of the church. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells him, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church,” a verse that forms the biblical basis for the papacy.

A Vatican employee annuls the papal seal on the pope’s seal, at the Vatican, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP)

According to tradition, Peter traveled to Rome to spread the Christian message and was martyred there during the reign of the Emperor Nero, around 64 A.D., as Christians were being persecuted. He was said to be crucified upside down at his own request, considering himself unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus.

St. Peter’s Basilica now stands over what is believed to be his tomb.

Why does the pope matter beyond the Catholic Church?

Though the pope leads a religious institution, his influence extends far beyond it. Pope John Paul II played a pivotal role in supporting the Solidarity movement in his native Poland and encouraging resistance to Soviet domination in Eastern Europe. His moral leadership was credited by many with helping to hasten the end of the Cold War.

The intelligence-generated image of President Donald Trump dressed as pope fills the front-page of an Italian newspaper in Rome, Sunday, May 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Pope Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America, became a prominent voice on global issues from climate change to migration and economic inequality. He called for compassion toward refugees, warned against the dangers of nationalism, and urged action to protect the planet — stances that resonated well beyond church walls, and at times put him at odds with political leaders.

A name to signal a papal direction

The first sign of the new pope’s priorities will come in the name he chooses.

A Francis II might signal a new pope’s embrace of Francis’ legacy of prioritizing the poor and marginalized; a Pius would hint at a traditionalist restoration.

From John Paul to Benedict to Francis, each name has carried historical weight and theological intent. For the 267th pope, it will be his first message to the world.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.