Five things to do today: unwind at Above, Dubai’s newly opened rooftop lounge at The Sofitel Dubai Downtown

Unwind at Above, the newly opened rooftop lounge in Dubai. The opening marks the first all-season luxury venue with unobstructed views of the Burj Khalifa. Open daily, 6pm to 3am, The Sofitel Dubai Downtown, 04 503 6666, www.abovedxb.com

Learn to design the Arabic alphabet through typography. Letters will be broken down to their basic structure, then redefined and designed. Each student will complete one A3-sized page. This workshop is for all levels. Today from 4.30 to 6pm, Creekside, Dubai, to register email sorour.amini@ymail.com

Check out Oktoberfest at the du Forum, which will be transformed into an authentic German festival hall, complete with dirndl-and-lederhosen-clad staff and German festhalle seating. Attendees can sing and dance to the music of the Munich band HofBrauHaus. Tonight at 7pm, tomorrow at 4pm, du Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.ticketmaster.ae

Book in for the Shivkumar Sharma & Rahul Sharma performance. The event featuring the Indian artists is part of the Emirates NBD Classics III. Tomorrow, doors open at 7pm, concert starts at 8pm, from Dh150, Centrepoint Theatre, Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, www.ductac.org, 04 341 4777

Try an evening brunch at the Thursday Pool Deck Barbeque at Anantara Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa. Every Thursday from 7pm to 11pm, Dh189 per person for BBQ only, Dh239 per person includes house hops, grape and soft drinks, Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara, Sheikh Zayed Street (Salam Street), Abu Dhabi, 02 656 1181, www.anantara.com

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White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE