News
TCI: Jas Walkin’s Book’ Dreaming Beyond Your Diagnosis’ Becomes Most Sought-For On Amazon
#TurksandCaicos, May 19, 2021 – Jasmin Walkin, also known as ‘Jas,’ is one of the few who never let his dreams die, despite living with disability. The PNP’s national campaign manager and former president of the TCI Civil Service Association recently launched a book that has made him a top-selling author.
The local champion has now authored one of the most inspirational books: ‘Dreaming Beyond Your Diagnosis’ to inspire people living with disabilities and their caregivers. Before launching his how-to book, Walkin had been a common figure in the Turks and Caicos for championing the inclusivity of people with disabilities in the government.
Launched on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at the Fashion Cay conference room in the Regent Village Grace Bay, the heart-touching book gives a detailed account of Walkin’s childhood experiences and daunting adulthood struggles through which he went as he learned to live and thrive with cerebral palsy.
“During the Covid-19 lockdown period, I began thinking about what the true purpose of my experiences was and how I should really use my experience to impact the lives of others,” Walkin said while referring to the genesis of the masterpiece during the launch.
“Then, a lightbulb came on in my head. The only thing more inspirational than a good story of success is a manual guiding you to write your own success story,” he added.
Walkin went ahead to explain his disturbing experience in primary school and the tough times in high school but persevered enough to join a college in The Bahamas, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree. Later, he joined Walden University for his Master’s degree which landed him an opportunity to teach history and social sciences for 10 years after graduation.
Due to his burning desire to make a difference in the life of people living with disabilities, he ventured into TCI politics and became a campaign manager for the PNP party which swept 14 out of 15 political seats in the 2021 TCI general elections; the biggest political win in Turks and Caicos history.
In an interview on PlatinumSounds Radio Station, Walkin recounted how horrifying his first seizure experience was as he saw his face misconfigure and mouth switched. His situation later exacerbated, leading to as many as two seizures per weeks. This went on for eight years. Jas experienced the last seizure in 1996.
According to Jas, his strong faith in God and an unwavering support system gave him a formidable force to triumph through the challenges due to his physical disadvantages. With special treatment and immense love from his mother and prophetic grandmother, Walkin had nurturing, strong support which led to him overcoming depression. Walkin, who hails from the island of North Caicos said he learned to stay focus on his destiny.
In recent times, Walkin’s book to people with disabilities and their caregivers has become a global source of inspiration, making it one of the widely sought-for books on Amazon.
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
