DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The nationwide protests challenging Iran’s theocracy appeared to be being smothered Thursday, a week on from authorities shutting the country off from the world and escalating a bloody crackdown that activists say killed at least 2,615 people. In Iran’s capital, Tehran, witnesses say recent mornings saw no new signs of bonfires lit the night before or debris in the streets. The sound of gunfire, which had been intense for several nights, has faded. Meanwhile,