The New York Times reports that the U.S. State Department has lifted its visa ban on Prof Tariq Ramadan, who was a featured speaker at the 2009 Parliament in Melbourne.  Commentators interpret this move to indicate a new openness to dialogue by the current U.S. administration.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/21/world/europe/21london.html?scp=1&sq=tariq%20ramadan&st=cse