diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index b9921d46fc..05f033eb57 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -313,6 +313,9 @@ Fixes:
    * ecore-wl2: Support sending focus for wl_shell
    * elm config - handle setuid apps correctly and dont create junk dirs in .
    * eina utils and vpath - use euid not uid if setuid for correct user
+   * elm_code: Fix syntax crash on trailing newline in multiline macro
+   * ecore-wl2: roundtrip during client disconnect
+   * evas: fix bugs in gif image loader
 
 Changes since 1.17.0:
 ---------------------
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index fe9ff5d853..f59c39a168 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 EFL_VERSION([1], [19], [0], [release])
-AC_INIT([efl], [efl_version-alpha1], [enlightenment-devel@lists.sourceforge.net])
+AC_INIT([efl], [efl_version-beta1], [enlightenment-devel@lists.sourceforge.net])
 
 AC_PREREQ([2.60])
 AC_CONFIG_SRCDIR([configure.ac])