NEW YORK >> One toy expert says hot toys were hard to find in stores this week. Jim Silver, editor-in-chief of toy review website TTPM, says among the sold-out ones were Fingerlings robotic monkeys, Luvabella moving dolls and Pikmi Pops and LOL Surprise Big Surprise, both of which hide dolls or small stuffed animals in plastic balls that are wrapped in several layers of packaging.

China cuts import tariffs on some goods

BEIJING >> China is cutting import tariffs on some consumer goods in a new effort to spur economic growth driven by domestic consumption instead of trade and investment. The U.S. and other governments are pressing for better access to China’s growing market, but the range of 187 products affected was relatively small and it was unclear how the trade balance might be affected.

German forest given clearance for coal mining

BERLIN >> A court in western Germany says an ancient forest near the Belgian border can be chopped down to make way for a coal strip mine. Cologne’s administrative court ruled Friday against a legal complaint brought by the environmental group BUND that wanted to halt the clearance of much of Hambach forest.

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ON THE MOVE

>> The Hawaii Tourism Authority has announced that Jennifer Chun will be the agency’s director of tourism research as of Friday. Chun has more than 20 years’ experience in analyzing tourism data, including serving as director at Hospitality Advisors LLC.

>> Primary Residential Mortgage Inc. has hired Craig Fujikawa as a branch manager and senior loan officer for its Kaimuki Branch. Fujikawa is also co-founder and president of Mortgage Associates of Hawaii.

>> Central Pacific Bank has named Steve Corbisier as the new senior vice president and division manager, wealth management. Corbisier has more than 30 years of financial service industry experience, including 20 years of service with the Private Client Group of US Bank.

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