Volkswagen emissions scandal settlement deal clears key hurdle in US

A $15 bn settlement over Volkswagen's emissions cheating scandal has cleared a key hurdle, with a federal judge giving preliminary approval to a deal that includes an option for owners to have the carmaker buy back their vehicles.

Lawyers for Volkswagen owners sought approval from US District Court Judge Charles Breyer, who is overseeing consumer lawsuits and government allegations that the company's diesel engines cheated on US emissions tests.