News bites: BP tries to improve safety record, cab drivers revolt over Texas natural-gas law, and more

In a related story, BP said Tuesday it will pay its first dividend since the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

“BP said Tuesday it plans to sell half of its refining capacity in the United States while expanding in faster growing economies, and that it would resume paying a dividend for the first time since the rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico last summer,” The New York Times reports.

The San Francisco Chronicle lays out a possible connection between the protests in Egypt and climate change.

The Chronicle points to high food prices as one reason for the unrest in the country. “Food prices aren’t just some arbitrary economic statistic. They measure (inversely) the planet’s success at sustaining its human population. And right now, it’s not doing so well. The reason? Erratic weather spurred by climate change,” the Chronicle says.

In Texas, cab drivers were arrested after protesting a rule allowing natural-gas-powered cabs to cut in line.

“Eight cabdrivers participating in a protest over a Dallas taxi ordinance were arrested Monday evening for blocking traffic at Dallas Love Field [airport],” The Dallas Morning News reports.

“Dallas police pokesman Senior Cpl. Kevin Janse said that cabbies had left at least 50 taxis parked in a pickup lane at the airport and that those who were arrested face misdemeanor charges of obstructing traffic.

“Access to the airport was blocked for 20 to 30 minutes to clear the way for wreckers that towed seven of the cabs before the rest of the drivers moved their cars.”