diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index 1b89f9c010..ab9bf1b4c9 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -5,6 +5,33 @@ See the end for copying conditions.
 Please send GNU C library bug reports via <https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/>
 using `glibc' in the "product" field.
 
+Version 2.40
+
+Major new features:
+
+  [Add new features here]
+
+Deprecated and removed features, and other changes affecting compatibility:
+
+  [Add deprecations, removals and changes affecting compatibility here]
+
+Changes to build and runtime requirements:
+
+  [Add changes to build and runtime requirements here]
+
+Security related changes:
+
+The following CVEs were fixed in this release, details of which can be
+found in the advisories directory of the release tarball:
+
+  [The release manager will add the list generated by
+  scripts/process-advisories.sh just before the release.]
+
+The following bugs are resolved with this release:
+
+  [The release manager will add the list generated by
+  scripts/list-fixed-bugs.py just before the release.]
+
 Version 2.39
 
 Major new features:
diff --git a/version.h b/version.h
index fbe1a3b32e..1fb72da2a5 100644
--- a/version.h
+++ b/version.h
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 /* This file just defines the current version number of libc.  */
 
-#define RELEASE "stable"
-#define VERSION "2.39"
+#define RELEASE "development"
+#define VERSION "2.39.9000"