div > div.group > p:first-child"> Futures pointed to a higher open for the Nikkei 225 in Japan. The Nikkei futures contract in Chicago was at 22,280, as compared with the benchmark index's last close at 22,200.56.
Ghosn was arrested for the fourth time this month on suspicion he tried to enrich himself at Nissan's expense, to the tune of $5 million. He is also awaiting trial on other charges of financial misconduct and aggravated breach of trust. Retail sales in the U.S. rose by 1.6 percent last month, the strongest gain since September 2017. Economists polled by Refinitiv expected a gain of 0.9 percent.
The country, a major exporter in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, has been torn by conflict since the fall of dictator Muammar Qaddafi in 2011. It was sent into fresh conflict in recent weeks after its eastern military leader ordered his forces to move in on the capital where the United Nations-recognized government sits.