Families of those on board Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 have launched a campaign to raise money to pay for a private search for the missing plane.
They are attempting to raise up to $50m (£47m) so they can resume the hunt for the aircraft which disappeared on 8 March 2014.
It is believed to have crashed in a remote part of the southern Indian Ocean but the largest search in aviation history has failed to find the main wreckage of the plane.
In January families of those on board reacted angrily when it was announced that the £133m operation to find the aircraft was being called off.
Details of the families' plan for a private search were announced at a memorial just ahead of the third anniversary of the plane's disappearance.
Jacquita Gomes, whose husband was a flight attendant on MH370, said that what happened to the flight "should not go down in history books as a mystery".
In July 2015 part of the aeroplane's wing was found on Reunion Island, and so far more than 20 objects either confirmed or believed to be from the jet have washed ashore on beaches in Mauritius, Mozambique, South Africa and Madagascar.
Analysts have been looking at how the debris has spread to see whether they can trace it back and significantly narrow down the search area.
Jiang Hui, whose mother was on the plane, discovered a piece of potential MH370 debris in Madagascar last year.
She said: "I thought it was very miraculous and fortunate when I found the piece of debris that day, but I thought it was useless because this sort of searching activity should have been done by the government.
"It should not be us, the family members, who should have been subjected to this pain, to go and face this cruel reality."
Grace Nathan, whose mother Anne Daisy was on board, said: "We want the next phase of our searching campaign to be that we will continue to look for the plane.
"So if the governments do not resume searching, we intend to source our own experts and own assets to continue searching."
A number of theories have been put forward about what happened to the aircraft including a fire on board, hijacking or terror plot, rogue pilot action and mechanical or structural failure.
A final report on the plane's disappearance will be released this year.
Saturday, March 4, 2017
'Terrible!': Trump claims Obama had his 'wires tapped' before election win
US President Donald Trump has claimed Barack Obama had his "wires tapped" before he won the election.
He tweeted: "Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my 'wires tapped' in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!"
The president added: "Is it legal for a sitting president to be 'wire tapping' a race for president prior to an election? Turned down by court earlier. A NEW LOW!"
In a further tweet, he wrote: "I'd bet a good lawyer could make a great case out of the fact that President Obama was tapping my phones in October, just prior to election!"
And in an additional message, he said: "How low has President Obama gone to tapp (sic) my phones during the very sacred election process. This is Nixon/Watergate. Bad (or sick) guy!"
Mr Trump did not offer any evidence to support his claims, while Mr Obama has not responded.
McCarthyism is defined as making allegations of subversion or treason with insufficient regard for evidence.
It is said to have begun with an executive order issued by President Truman in March 1947, requiring all federal employees within the American civil service to be screened for "loyalty".
Senator Joseph McCarthy claimed in 1950 that known communists were working in the US State Department.
Later, in 1954, he was censured by the Senate.
The Watergate political scandal followed a break in at the Democratic National Committee's HQ in the Watergate office building in Washington DC in 1972.
Multiple abuses of power by the Nixon administration were subsequently discovered.
He tweeted: "Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my 'wires tapped' in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!"
The president added: "Is it legal for a sitting president to be 'wire tapping' a race for president prior to an election? Turned down by court earlier. A NEW LOW!"
In a further tweet, he wrote: "I'd bet a good lawyer could make a great case out of the fact that President Obama was tapping my phones in October, just prior to election!"
And in an additional message, he said: "How low has President Obama gone to tapp (sic) my phones during the very sacred election process. This is Nixon/Watergate. Bad (or sick) guy!"
Mr Trump did not offer any evidence to support his claims, while Mr Obama has not responded.
McCarthyism is defined as making allegations of subversion or treason with insufficient regard for evidence.
It is said to have begun with an executive order issued by President Truman in March 1947, requiring all federal employees within the American civil service to be screened for "loyalty".
Senator Joseph McCarthy claimed in 1950 that known communists were working in the US State Department.
Later, in 1954, he was censured by the Senate.
The Watergate political scandal followed a break in at the Democratic National Committee's HQ in the Watergate office building in Washington DC in 1972.
Multiple abuses of power by the Nixon administration were subsequently discovered.
Friday, March 3, 2017
Sinn Fein cuts DUP advantage to a single seat in Stormont elections
Sinn Fein has cut the DUP's 10-seat Stormont advantage to a single seat in its best performance in Northern Ireland election history.
The Democratic Unionist Party won 28 of the 90 seats to narrowly remain the largest party in Northern Ireland by just over 1,000 votes.
Both parties will now have three weeks to form a new power-sharing government to avoid devolved power returning to Westminster for the first time in a decade.
But relations between the two are at their lowest since power-sharing began in 2007 and Sinn Fein has demanded the resignation of outgoing first minister Arlene Foster as one of its terms for re-entering government.
Sinn Fein won 27 seats, the SDLP got 12, the UUP won 10, Alliance eight, the Green Party two, People Before Profit one seat, Traditional Unionist Voice one and there was one independent unionist.
The elections - triggered by the collapse of devolved government in Northern Ireland six weeks ago following controversy over a botched green energy scheme - saw turnout hit its highest level, 65%, in almost two decades.
DUP leader Arlene Foster told supporters after winning re-election: "Let us now move forward with hope, hope that civility can return to our politics.
"There is work to be done to quickly mend the relationship which has been frayed by the discord of this election."
The result is the closest nationalists had come to becoming the largest party in Stormont.
But the DUP's failure to win at least 30 seats means it also no longer has the power to veto legislation, including the blocking of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.
Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt announced his resignation after his party's poor showing.
He said: "In pure terms, the buck stops here. Some day Northern Ireland will vote as a normal democracy.
"We will vote in a post-sectarian election, but it's now clear it will not happen during the duration of my political career."
Michelle O'Neill, Sinn Fein's northern leader, said: "I think it's a brilliant day for equality, I think it's a great day for democracy."
The nationalist SDLP fared better than expected, replacing the UUP as the third largest party in the Assembly.
If the three-week deadline to strike a power-sharing deal expires, the Government could be forced to call another snap election or could opt to reintroduce direct rule.
Four former Northern Ireland Executive members - the SLDP's Alex Attwood; the UUP's Danny Kennedy and the DUP's Nelson McCausland and Lord Morrow lost their seats in the election.
In the previous Assembly election last May, the DUP won 38 seats compared with Sinn Fein's 28.
Northern Ireland uses the single transferable vote system - a form of proportional representation - to elect members of the Legislative Assembly.
Unlike the first past the post system, it ensures the number of seats each party wins reflects its vote share.
The Democratic Unionist Party won 28 of the 90 seats to narrowly remain the largest party in Northern Ireland by just over 1,000 votes.
Both parties will now have three weeks to form a new power-sharing government to avoid devolved power returning to Westminster for the first time in a decade.
But relations between the two are at their lowest since power-sharing began in 2007 and Sinn Fein has demanded the resignation of outgoing first minister Arlene Foster as one of its terms for re-entering government.
Sinn Fein won 27 seats, the SDLP got 12, the UUP won 10, Alliance eight, the Green Party two, People Before Profit one seat, Traditional Unionist Voice one and there was one independent unionist.
The elections - triggered by the collapse of devolved government in Northern Ireland six weeks ago following controversy over a botched green energy scheme - saw turnout hit its highest level, 65%, in almost two decades.
DUP leader Arlene Foster told supporters after winning re-election: "Let us now move forward with hope, hope that civility can return to our politics.
"There is work to be done to quickly mend the relationship which has been frayed by the discord of this election."
The result is the closest nationalists had come to becoming the largest party in Stormont.
But the DUP's failure to win at least 30 seats means it also no longer has the power to veto legislation, including the blocking of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.
Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt announced his resignation after his party's poor showing.
He said: "In pure terms, the buck stops here. Some day Northern Ireland will vote as a normal democracy.
"We will vote in a post-sectarian election, but it's now clear it will not happen during the duration of my political career."
Michelle O'Neill, Sinn Fein's northern leader, said: "I think it's a brilliant day for equality, I think it's a great day for democracy."
The nationalist SDLP fared better than expected, replacing the UUP as the third largest party in the Assembly.
If the three-week deadline to strike a power-sharing deal expires, the Government could be forced to call another snap election or could opt to reintroduce direct rule.
Four former Northern Ireland Executive members - the SLDP's Alex Attwood; the UUP's Danny Kennedy and the DUP's Nelson McCausland and Lord Morrow lost their seats in the election.
In the previous Assembly election last May, the DUP won 38 seats compared with Sinn Fein's 28.
Northern Ireland uses the single transferable vote system - a form of proportional representation - to elect members of the Legislative Assembly.
Unlike the first past the post system, it ensures the number of seats each party wins reflects its vote share.
The Walled Off Hotel: Banksy to open guesthouse in Bethlehem to encourage 'dialogue'
A hotel filled with the work of British graffitist Banksy has been unveiled in Bethlehem.
The artist's nine-room guesthouse, called The Walled Off Hotel, will open on 11 March - with rooms available from just £25 per night.
Staffed by locals, the colonial-themed hotel also offers a presidential suite and a museum filled with Banksy's politically charged work.
Meanwhile, in room number three, called Banksy's Room, guests can sleep under a Banksy piece showing a Palestinian and an Israeli having a pillow fight.
The Guardian reports that the hotel, which boasts "the worst view in the world" according to its elusive creator, will host Palestinian exhibitions to encourage dialogue.
Israelis are restricted from visiting Bethlehem but the hotel is located in an area they can enter, overlooking the West Bank separation barrier built by Israel.
The artist's nine-room guesthouse, called The Walled Off Hotel, will open on 11 March - with rooms available from just £25 per night.
Staffed by locals, the colonial-themed hotel also offers a presidential suite and a museum filled with Banksy's politically charged work.
Meanwhile, in room number three, called Banksy's Room, guests can sleep under a Banksy piece showing a Palestinian and an Israeli having a pillow fight.
The Guardian reports that the hotel, which boasts "the worst view in the world" according to its elusive creator, will host Palestinian exhibitions to encourage dialogue.
Israelis are restricted from visiting Bethlehem but the hotel is located in an area they can enter, overlooking the West Bank separation barrier built by Israel.
Lithuanians stock up for 'hybrid' war with Russia
As far as most Lithuanians are concerned the iron curtain is made from pine - their border with the Russian state of Kaliningrad is lined with pine and birch trees as well as a series of concrete posts marking out the frontier.
There are also watchtowers poking out of woods, but the whole area feels unexpectedly and curiously open.
A small band of Lithuanian border guards are deployed on this waterlogged and rather inhospitable patch.
"There are about 50 of us," said a young guard called Tadas Zalauskas, as he wrestled with the steering wheel of his 4x4 truck. "But we need more. Eighty or more - that would be good."
"Do you communicate with the Russians on the other side?" I asked.
"No, they are hiding," he said, gesturing towards the trees.
It was not that long ago that the two groups were citizens of the same country - comrades-in-arms in the Soviet Union.
But that period of time produced memories few Lithuanians cherish and their declaration of independence in 1990 helped ensure the Soviet Union's collapse. This small country of three million has now re-orientated itself westward.
It is a member of both the EU and NATO and as a sign of this commitment it will begin work on two-metre-high fence this summer to further delineate the border.
It's not just a fence, however - the guards told me they will be constructing a "security zone" with cameras and heat sensors designed to stop smugglers, traffickers and other types of unauthorised entry.
Tadas Gecas, a senior officer in the border guard service, said: "I think people will feel more secure now."
However, the country's frontier with Kaliningrad - and its border with Russian ally Belarus - are just too close for comfort for a lot of people here.
In fact, Lithuanians are so unnerved by the current political climate that many are currently mobilising for war - and it is not an exclusively government-directed, top-down affair.
Instead, people like Augustinas and Kristijonas Vizbaras have volunteered for a militia called the Riflemen's Union, which boasts some 10,000 men and women from across the country.
"We are highly skilled, highly motivated, we take this very seriously," said Kristijona Vizbaras.
"We are growing dramatically in numbers. Three years ago we had 50 people in Vilnius - now we have 3,000."
The two brothers, who have built a successful electronics manufacturing business in the suburbs of Lithuania's capital, took me up to the boardroom to show me their personal arsenal.
It consisted of Heckler and Koch machine guns, survival gear and a sharp shooter with a 600 metre range - all of which were purchased with their own money.
"We have been part of the EU for eight years and people enjoy their freedom," said Augustinas.
"The standard of living is growing - and these aren't just words to us. We see what is happening in Russia - it has become a psychotic regime, unpredictable, and yes, everyone is worried."
The Russians have characterised such comments as hysteria, but the brothers reject that notion.
"We are training to defend, so if they don't attack, they have nothing to worry about," said Kristijonas.
That comment could have come from a NATO general with the alliance now shoring up what is known as "Europe's eastern flank".
Some 4,000 troops are being shipped out to the region - with 1,000 German soldiers allocated to Lithuania.
It seems that hostilities may already have begun - although not in the conventional sense.
Sky News obtained an anonymous email sent to the speaker of the Lithuanian parliament and head of police, claiming that German soldiers had raped a 15-year-old orphan. Authorities say the email was a fake.
According to captain Aurimas Kleveckas, from the ministry of defence's strategic communications unit (STRATCOM), it is a perfect example of the threat they face - a "hybrid" attack designed to destabilise.
He said: "We believe that this is the first attempt to use German soldiers against the Lithuanian population. In the future they may use video to record a similar (fake) allegation."
Captain Kleveckas said there was a "high probability" Russians were responsible for the faked email, although Lithuanian police have not been able to locate who wrote it.
Nonetheless, it should serve as a warning to the British, with 800 troops due to deploy to Estonia as part of this NATO mission.
"Their mindset should change from Afghanistan and Iraq," captain Kleveckas said. "(It) should change to hybrid warfare because they are trapped in this right now."
The Lithuanians have already been offering some pointers to a new British army unit, 77th Brigade, on the information warfare they will likely face.
It is a threat this small Baltic nation takes very seriously indeed.
There are also watchtowers poking out of woods, but the whole area feels unexpectedly and curiously open.
A small band of Lithuanian border guards are deployed on this waterlogged and rather inhospitable patch.
"There are about 50 of us," said a young guard called Tadas Zalauskas, as he wrestled with the steering wheel of his 4x4 truck. "But we need more. Eighty or more - that would be good."
"Do you communicate with the Russians on the other side?" I asked.
"No, they are hiding," he said, gesturing towards the trees.
It was not that long ago that the two groups were citizens of the same country - comrades-in-arms in the Soviet Union.
But that period of time produced memories few Lithuanians cherish and their declaration of independence in 1990 helped ensure the Soviet Union's collapse. This small country of three million has now re-orientated itself westward.
It is a member of both the EU and NATO and as a sign of this commitment it will begin work on two-metre-high fence this summer to further delineate the border.
It's not just a fence, however - the guards told me they will be constructing a "security zone" with cameras and heat sensors designed to stop smugglers, traffickers and other types of unauthorised entry.
Tadas Gecas, a senior officer in the border guard service, said: "I think people will feel more secure now."
However, the country's frontier with Kaliningrad - and its border with Russian ally Belarus - are just too close for comfort for a lot of people here.
In fact, Lithuanians are so unnerved by the current political climate that many are currently mobilising for war - and it is not an exclusively government-directed, top-down affair.
Instead, people like Augustinas and Kristijonas Vizbaras have volunteered for a militia called the Riflemen's Union, which boasts some 10,000 men and women from across the country.
"We are highly skilled, highly motivated, we take this very seriously," said Kristijona Vizbaras.
"We are growing dramatically in numbers. Three years ago we had 50 people in Vilnius - now we have 3,000."
The two brothers, who have built a successful electronics manufacturing business in the suburbs of Lithuania's capital, took me up to the boardroom to show me their personal arsenal.
It consisted of Heckler and Koch machine guns, survival gear and a sharp shooter with a 600 metre range - all of which were purchased with their own money.
"We have been part of the EU for eight years and people enjoy their freedom," said Augustinas.
"The standard of living is growing - and these aren't just words to us. We see what is happening in Russia - it has become a psychotic regime, unpredictable, and yes, everyone is worried."
The Russians have characterised such comments as hysteria, but the brothers reject that notion.
"We are training to defend, so if they don't attack, they have nothing to worry about," said Kristijonas.
That comment could have come from a NATO general with the alliance now shoring up what is known as "Europe's eastern flank".
Some 4,000 troops are being shipped out to the region - with 1,000 German soldiers allocated to Lithuania.
It seems that hostilities may already have begun - although not in the conventional sense.
Sky News obtained an anonymous email sent to the speaker of the Lithuanian parliament and head of police, claiming that German soldiers had raped a 15-year-old orphan. Authorities say the email was a fake.
According to captain Aurimas Kleveckas, from the ministry of defence's strategic communications unit (STRATCOM), it is a perfect example of the threat they face - a "hybrid" attack designed to destabilise.
He said: "We believe that this is the first attempt to use German soldiers against the Lithuanian population. In the future they may use video to record a similar (fake) allegation."
Captain Kleveckas said there was a "high probability" Russians were responsible for the faked email, although Lithuanian police have not been able to locate who wrote it.
Nonetheless, it should serve as a warning to the British, with 800 troops due to deploy to Estonia as part of this NATO mission.
"Their mindset should change from Afghanistan and Iraq," captain Kleveckas said. "(It) should change to hybrid warfare because they are trapped in this right now."
The Lithuanians have already been offering some pointers to a new British army unit, 77th Brigade, on the information warfare they will likely face.
It is a threat this small Baltic nation takes very seriously indeed.
MI6 releases cinema adverts in attempt to recruit more diverse candidates
MI6 has distanced itself from the James Bond image in a new recruitment campaign aimed at attracting more diverse employees.
An advert, to run in cinemas from Monday, shows a mixed-race woman in her twenties going about everyday life - running, in a restaurant and working at a flower stall.
She displays skills required to work for MI6 - teamwork, dealing with delicate situations, and the ability to read emotions.
The ad concludes by saying that she could be an intelligence officer.
It is a deliberate strategy to move away from the stereotype of a white male who went to Oxbridge, jumps out of planes, shoots guns and is kitted up with fancy gadgets.
MI6 says it is focusing particularly on black and Asian recruits and doesn't want people to rule themselves out of a career with the agency because they don't fit the Bond image.
MI6, officially known as the Secret Intelligence Service, has also reintroduced the technique of "tapping up" potential intelligence officers, a tactic that characterised their early recruitment in Oxford and Cambridge colleges.
The "tap on the shoulder" will now be done in a range of organisations and settings, again to get away from the classic Oxbridge "type".
The agency is looking for intelligence officers to work on the front line of MI6 operations. That could include 'targeters' who identify people who might have access to secret information and could be willing to work as agents, 'case officers' who cultivate and build relationships with agents, and 'R officers' - analysts who liaise with other governments.
Although not specifically mentioned, it is no secret that MI6 is expanding its teams who specialise in Russia.
Recent adverts for the Secret Intelligence Service have been unbranded, tempting people to take online challenges and only then revealing the MI6 connection if successful.
This new advert, which is branded, is the first of its kind for MI6. It will run for one month in cinemas across London, the Midlands and the North West.
Specific films have been selected, across a wide range of genres.
Head of MI6, Alex Younger, said: "My message has always been simple: MI6's success is thanks to our people. I want everyone to know that, regardless of background, if you have the skills we need and share our values, there is a future for you in MI6.
"I want people to see our advert and know that there is a place for them in our team."
MI6 gets thousands of applications each year, and many applicants go on to have successful careers in the service.
Candidates must have a 2:2 degree or above and be over 21 years old.
The agency says it places particular emphasis on emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, a public service ethos, mental sharpness, an interest in foreign affairs and cultures, a desire to live and work overseas, sound judgement, integrity, team working and being technologically savvy.
An advert, to run in cinemas from Monday, shows a mixed-race woman in her twenties going about everyday life - running, in a restaurant and working at a flower stall.
She displays skills required to work for MI6 - teamwork, dealing with delicate situations, and the ability to read emotions.
The ad concludes by saying that she could be an intelligence officer.
It is a deliberate strategy to move away from the stereotype of a white male who went to Oxbridge, jumps out of planes, shoots guns and is kitted up with fancy gadgets.
MI6 says it is focusing particularly on black and Asian recruits and doesn't want people to rule themselves out of a career with the agency because they don't fit the Bond image.
MI6, officially known as the Secret Intelligence Service, has also reintroduced the technique of "tapping up" potential intelligence officers, a tactic that characterised their early recruitment in Oxford and Cambridge colleges.
The "tap on the shoulder" will now be done in a range of organisations and settings, again to get away from the classic Oxbridge "type".
The agency is looking for intelligence officers to work on the front line of MI6 operations. That could include 'targeters' who identify people who might have access to secret information and could be willing to work as agents, 'case officers' who cultivate and build relationships with agents, and 'R officers' - analysts who liaise with other governments.
Although not specifically mentioned, it is no secret that MI6 is expanding its teams who specialise in Russia.
Recent adverts for the Secret Intelligence Service have been unbranded, tempting people to take online challenges and only then revealing the MI6 connection if successful.
This new advert, which is branded, is the first of its kind for MI6. It will run for one month in cinemas across London, the Midlands and the North West.
Specific films have been selected, across a wide range of genres.
Head of MI6, Alex Younger, said: "My message has always been simple: MI6's success is thanks to our people. I want everyone to know that, regardless of background, if you have the skills we need and share our values, there is a future for you in MI6.
"I want people to see our advert and know that there is a place for them in our team."
MI6 gets thousands of applications each year, and many applicants go on to have successful careers in the service.
Candidates must have a 2:2 degree or above and be over 21 years old.
The agency says it places particular emphasis on emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, a public service ethos, mental sharpness, an interest in foreign affairs and cultures, a desire to live and work overseas, sound judgement, integrity, team working and being technologically savvy.
Uber loses court case over English tests for its London drivers
Taxi app Uber has lost a court battle to block rules that would force its drivers to prove their reading and writing skills to operate in London.
Transport for London (TfL) said they should have to prove their ability to communicate in English and take tests in basic writing and reading.
It argued the changes would ensure passenger safety and boost standards.
Uber said the standard was too high and would lead to "indirect racial discrimination" that could threaten the livelihoods of 30,000 drivers.
It launched a legal challenge alongside three of its drivers.
But Judge John Mitting decided TfL was "entitled to require private hire drivers to demonstrate English compliance".
A requirement for a call centre to be set up to deal with Uber complaints was rejected however.
Uber's lawyer and its drivers - Hungarian Sandor Balogh, Bulgarian Nikolay Dimitrov and Imran Khan from Pakistan - said the language requirement would contribute to 70,000 applicants failing to obtain a licence over three years.
They said the proposals would have a disproportionate impact on drivers from countries where English was not spoken and cause "indirect discrimination on grounds of race and nationality".
Uber also said the changes involving insurance and setting up call centres would also probably lead to extra costs for drivers.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "I'm delighted that the courts have today backed my plans to drive up standards and improve passenger safety in London.
"Drivers being able to speak English and understand information from passengers and licensing requirements is a vital part of ensuring passengers get the high standard of service they need and deserve.
"This could include discussing a better route, talking about a medical condition, or ensuring every driver is fully up to date with new regulations."
The judge said he was satisfied TfL had shown that the safety, welfare and convenience of passengers could not be protected by any less restrictive means.
Although Uber was refused permission to appeal, it can renew its application directly to the Court of Appeal.
Tom Elvidge, general manager of Uber in London, said: "While we are glad the court agreed with us on the other measures TfL tried to impose, this is a deeply disappointing outcome for tens of thousands of drivers who will lose their livelihoods because they cannot pass an essay writing test.
"We've always supported spoken English skills, but writing an essay has nothing to do with communicating with passengers or getting them safely from A to B."
Transport for London (TfL) said they should have to prove their ability to communicate in English and take tests in basic writing and reading.
It argued the changes would ensure passenger safety and boost standards.
Uber said the standard was too high and would lead to "indirect racial discrimination" that could threaten the livelihoods of 30,000 drivers.
It launched a legal challenge alongside three of its drivers.
But Judge John Mitting decided TfL was "entitled to require private hire drivers to demonstrate English compliance".
A requirement for a call centre to be set up to deal with Uber complaints was rejected however.
Uber's lawyer and its drivers - Hungarian Sandor Balogh, Bulgarian Nikolay Dimitrov and Imran Khan from Pakistan - said the language requirement would contribute to 70,000 applicants failing to obtain a licence over three years.
They said the proposals would have a disproportionate impact on drivers from countries where English was not spoken and cause "indirect discrimination on grounds of race and nationality".
Uber also said the changes involving insurance and setting up call centres would also probably lead to extra costs for drivers.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "I'm delighted that the courts have today backed my plans to drive up standards and improve passenger safety in London.
"Drivers being able to speak English and understand information from passengers and licensing requirements is a vital part of ensuring passengers get the high standard of service they need and deserve.
"This could include discussing a better route, talking about a medical condition, or ensuring every driver is fully up to date with new regulations."
The judge said he was satisfied TfL had shown that the safety, welfare and convenience of passengers could not be protected by any less restrictive means.
Although Uber was refused permission to appeal, it can renew its application directly to the Court of Appeal.
Tom Elvidge, general manager of Uber in London, said: "While we are glad the court agreed with us on the other measures TfL tried to impose, this is a deeply disappointing outcome for tens of thousands of drivers who will lose their livelihoods because they cannot pass an essay writing test.
"We've always supported spoken English skills, but writing an essay has nothing to do with communicating with passengers or getting them safely from A to B."
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