 What happened today was a performance put on by Russian authorities to justify their repression of journalists and independent voices. Miller said the U.S. will continue to work privately to secure the release of Khrushchev and another American, former Marine Paul Whelan, who's serving a 16-year prison term in Russia. Jackie Northam, NPR News. U.S. stocks ended the day slightly higher. The Dow closed up 15 points at 39,127. You're listening to NPR News.