diff --git a/trunk/NEWS b/trunk/NEWS
index c1124859..72f615ff 100644
--- a/trunk/NEWS
+++ b/trunk/NEWS
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+Noteworthy changes in version 0.4.4 (unreleased)
+------------------------------------------------
+
 Noteworthy changes in version 0.4.3 (2003-10-06)
 ------------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/trunk/configure.ac b/trunk/configure.ac
index 1723afbb..babd7141 100644
--- a/trunk/configure.ac
+++ b/trunk/configure.ac
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 # (Process this file with autoconf to produce a configure script.)
 
 # Version number: Remember to change it immediately *after* a release.
-AC_INIT(gpgme, 0.4.3, [bug-gpgme@gnupg.org])
+AC_INIT(gpgme, 0.4.4, [bug-gpgme@gnupg.org])
 # LT Version numbers, remember to change them just *before* a release.
 #   (Code changed:			REVISION++)
 #   (Interfaces added/removed/changed:	CURRENT++, REVISION=0)