Self-isolation can be a great period to learn a new skill or brush up on an old one. Maybe you figure it's finally time to remove your guitar from under your bed, wipe away the dust and finally learn how to play Stairway to Heaven? Or you've just decided to learn something completely new like crocheting, painting or making trap beats. If you're looking to pick up a new hobby, here are six YouTube channels to check out while you're stuck at home, to make your time in self-quarantine a little more productive.
Jam like a guitar pro
Learning an instrument can be a daunting task, your fingers don’t seem to want to cooperate and the notes you barely manage to sound don’t have a single musical quality to them. But there are a range of benefits to learning a new instrument, from enhanced discipline to reduced stress and improved brain function.
If you’re planning on learning the guitar then GuitarJamz is a great resource. Marty Schwartz leads the sessions. Most of his videos on the GuitarJamz channel run for under 10 minutes, his lessons are short and get right to the point. You’ll go from learning how to hold down a chord to playing your favourite BB King, Led Zeppelin and Bob Marley songs in no time – with a lot of practice and discipline, of course.
Discover how to crochet
If you’re trying to learn to crochet then Sarah-Jayne’s Bella Coco channel might be just what you’re looking for. Like with Schwartz’s guitar lessons, most of Bella Coco’s videos are under 10 minutes long, and clearly indicate what the tutorial is about. From learning how to cross and floret stitch to making invisible seams and granny squares, her channel is worth a visit for those looking to get creative with crochet.
Learn to paint with Bob Ross
With a soothing voice, a cheerful demeanor and step-by-step instructions on how to awaken the artist in you, Bob Ross was arguably one of the best and most popular painting instructors.
In his instructional television show The Joy of Painting, which ran from 1983 until 1994, Ross taught techniques for landscape oil paintings, completing a painting each episode.
Ross showed thousands (if not millions) not to be intimidated by a paintbrush, and that anyone could paint. You can now find all 31 seasons of his show – more than 400 30-minute episodes – on the Bob Ross YouTube page.
Cook like a master chef in your own kitchen
Working from home has suddenly given many unprecedented access to their own kitchens. However, if you are unsure how to go about making a decent meal, then check out Food Wishes.
Chef John teaches viewers how to make a range of dishes from butternut bisque to honey mustard roast chicken and pizzadillas inspired by the Papa John’s pizza chain. He’ll even teach you how to make your own bread. One recommendation is to start with his older videos as he explains simple cooking concepts quite thoroughly.
Master how to Photoshop like a pro
If you want to brush up on your Photoshopping skills or are completely new to the software, Psdesire is a great resource. The channel has video tutorials on Adobe Photoshop, Photography, Camera Raw and Lightroom. It caters to beginners as well as photographers and designers.
Some of the topics covered in the tutorials include: text effects in Photoshop, photographic manipulations, photo composition, and retouching, as well as the basics of Photoshop.
While newer videos are taught using the latest version of Photoshop, you'll find videos covering the older Photoshop versions as well.
Learn to become a music producer
Want to make beats like your favourite music producers? There are a number of YouTube channels to teach the nuts and bolts of music production but Busy Work Beats is a great place to start.
With videos ranging from five minutes to an hour, the tutorials cover everything from sound design and sampling to song structure and mixing.
The tutorials also teach the ins and outs of various music production software, from Ableton to Fruity Loops and Pro Tools. You’ll even find advice on how to make beats similar to ones used by Drake and get a little insight on music theory.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 390bhp
Torque: 400Nm
Price: Dh340,000 ($92,579
Day 4, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Not much was expected – on Sunday or ever – of Hasan Ali as a batsman. And yet he lit up the late overs of the Pakistan innings with a happy cameo of 29 from 25 balls. The highlight was when he launched a six right on top of the netting above the Pakistan players’ viewing area. He was out next ball.
Stat of the day – 1,358 There were 1,358 days between Haris Sohail’s previous first-class match and his Test debut for Pakistan. The lack of practice in the multi-day format did not show, though, as the left-hander made an assured half-century to guide his side through a potentially damaging collapse.
The verdict As is the fashion of Test matches in this country, the draw feels like a dead-cert, before a clatter of wickets on the fourth afternoon puts either side on red alert. With Yasir Shah finding prodigious turn now, Pakistan will be confident of bowling Sri Lanka out. Whether they have enough time to do so and chase the runs required remains to be seen.
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
RESULT
Huddersfield Town 2 Manchester United 1
Huddersfield: Mooy (28'), Depoitre (33')
Manchester United: Rashford (78')
Man of the Match: Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
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On racial profiling at airports
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
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About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
The five pillars of Islam
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
