WASHINGTON >> U.S. retail sales rose modestly in January, evidence that Americans kept shopping despite sharp drops in stock prices.

The Commerce Department said Friday that retail sales increased a seasonally adjusted 0.2 percent last month, the same as in December. Excluding the effect of falling gas prices, sales rose 0.4 percent.

Sales in December were revised higher from an initial estimate of a 0.1 percent drop.

Steady hiring and early signs that employers are finally handing out higher wages mean that Americans have more money to spend.

Eurozone economy grew 0.3% in quarter

The 19-country eurozone grew by a paltry quarterly rate of 0.3 percent in the final three months of 2015 despite tail winds such as cheap energy, an export-boosting drop in the currency and monetary stimulus.

The growth reported Friday by the European Union’s statistics agency, Eurostat, was in line with market expectations after earlier reports showed Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, grew at the same rate and France, the region’s No. 2, expanded by 0.2 percent.

Over the whole of 2015, the eurozone grew 1.5 percent. Though that’s the highest level since 2011, growth remains way below levels that would markedly reduce the bloc’s unemployment rate, which is still above 10 percent.

Facebook nude-painting case can face trial

PARIS >> If you post a 19th-century nude painting on Facebook, is it art or impermissible nudity? That question is now cleared for trial in France, after an appeals court there ruled that an aggrieved user can sue the social network over the issue.

Five years ago Facebook suspended the account of Frederic Durand-Baissas, a 57-year-old Parisian teacher and art lover, without prior notice. That was the day he posted a photo of Gustave Courbet’s 1866 painting “The Origin of the World,” which depicts female genitalia.

Durand-Baissas wants his account reactivated and is asking for $22,550 in damages. He said he’s “glad” he has been given the chance to get some sort of explanation from the powerful social network.

VW resisted air bag recall, documents show

DETROIT >> Volkswagen resisted U.S. government efforts to recall more cars and trucks to fix potentially deadly Takata air bags, telling safety regulators that a recall wasn’t necessary.

But the German automaker eventually agreed to the recall, according to documents posted Friday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. VW already is in hot water with the Environmental Protection Agency for cheating on U.S. pollution tests.

Volkswagen is recalling 850,000 Audi and VW vehicles in the U.S. due to Takata problems.

Ohio company sells off Etch A Sketch

BRYAN, Ohio >> The Ohio company that has produced or owned the Etch A Sketch for more than five decades has sold the classic toy to a Toronto-based toy firm.

Bryan-based Ohio Art Co. made the surprise move to sell the Etch A Sketch and its spinoff, the Doodle Sketch, to Spin Master Corp. for an undisclosed price. Ohio Art announced the sale Thursday.

U.S. business inventories rose in December

WASHINGTON >> U.S. businesses boosted their stockpiles slightly in December as sales dropped sharply. This combination has stoked anxieties about weakening economic growth, as sales over the entire year dropped for the first time since the Great Recession.

The Commerce Department said Friday that December business inventories rose a seasonally adjusted 0.1 percent, after having slipped 0.1 percent in November. Both manufacturers and retailers — which were responding to holiday shopping — increased their stockpiles. But sales fell 0.6 percent in December, with a stiff 1.4 percent drop in manufacturer revenues accounting for much of the drop.

On the Move

Gov. David Ige has appointed Merton Chinen to lead the Office of Youth Services, which is attached to the Department of Human Services. Chinen has worked at the Department of Human Services for more than 25 years and served as an assistant program administrator and a social worker for foster care youth and adoptions at the Child Welfare Services Branch for 13 years. Chinen was previously OYS’ acting executive director as well as a youth specialist and program development officer.

Destination Residences Hawaii has appointed Christy Laird to the position of owner relations manager. She was previously the homeowner experience manager at Honua Kai in Kaanapali. Her experience also includes serving as homeowner relations manager for Vail Resorts at Keystone Resort in Colorado and quality assurance programs manager for Vail Valley Chamber & Tourism Bureau.