diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index e70f0f8cf..5c06ee94f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -42,9 +42,9 @@ jobs:
         #    python-version: "3.13.0-alpha - 3.13.0"
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v3
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
     - name: Set up Python ${{ matrix.python-version }}
-      uses: actions/setup-python@v4
+      uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
         python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
     - name: Install dependencies
@@ -139,9 +139,9 @@ jobs:
   docs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v3
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
     - name: Set up Python
-      uses: actions/setup-python@v4
+      uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
         python-version: "3.10"
     - name: Install dependencies
@@ -155,18 +155,14 @@ jobs:
     - name: Run doctest
       run: |
         python -m sphinx -b doctest -W --keep-going doc build
-    - uses: actions/upload-artifact@v3
-      with:
-        name: sphinx-out
-        path: ./build/
-        retention-days: 5
 
   build:
+    name: Packaging
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
       - name: Set up Python
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v4
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
         with:
           python-version: "3.10"
       - name: Build wheel and sdist
@@ -174,24 +170,25 @@ jobs:
       - name: Check build artifacts
         run: pipx run twine check --strict dist/*
       - name: Save artifacts
-        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v3
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
         with:
-          name: python-can-dist
+          name: release
           path: ./dist
 
   upload_pypi:
     needs: [build]
+    name: Release to PyPi
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      id-token: write
 
     # upload to PyPI only on release
     if: github.event.release && github.event.action == 'published'
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/download-artifact@v3
+      - uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
         with:
-          name: python-can-dist
           path: dist
+          merge-multiple: true
 
-      - uses: pypa/gh-action-pypi-publish@v1.4.2
-        with:
-          user: __token__
-          password: ${{ secrets.PYPI_API_TOKEN }}
+      - name: Publish release distributions to PyPI
+        uses: pypa/gh-action-pypi-publish@release/v1
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 8798c19c7..404b68c3e 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,3 +1,37 @@
+Version 4.4.0
+=============
+
+Features
+--------
+
+* TRC 1.3 Support: Added support for .trc log files as generated by PCAN Explorer v5 and other tools, expanding compatibility with common log file formats (#1753).
+* ASCReader refactor: improved the ASCReader code (#1717).
+* SYSTEC Interface Enhancements: Added the ability to pass an explicit DLC value to the send() method when using the SYSTEC interface, enhancing flexibility for message definitions (#1756).
+* Socketcand Beacon Detection: Introduced a feature for detecting socketcand beacons, facilitating easier connection and configuration with socketcand servers (#1687).
+* PCAN Driver Echo Frames: Enabled echo frames in the PCAN driver when receive_own_messages is set, improving feedback for message transmissions (#1723).
+* CAN FD Bus Connection for VectorBus: Enabled connecting to CAN FD buses without specifying bus timings, simplifying the connection process for users (#1716).
+* Neousys Configs Detection: Updated the detection mechanism for available Neousys configurations, ensuring more accurate and comprehensive configuration discovery (#1744).
+
+
+Bug Fixes
+---------
+
+* Send Periodic Messages: Fixed an issue where fixed-duration periodic messages were sent one extra time beyond their intended count (#1713).
+* Vector Interface on Windows 11: Addressed compatibility issues with the Vector interface on Windows 11, ensuring stable operation across the latest OS version (#1731).
+* ASCWriter Millisecond Handling: Corrected the handling of milliseconds in ASCWriter, ensuring accurate time representation in log files (#1734).
+* Various minor bug fixes: Addressed several minor bugs to improve overall stability and performance.
+
+Miscellaneous
+-------------
+
+* Invert default value logic for BusABC._is_shutdown. (#1774)
+* Implemented various logging enhancements to provide more detailed and useful operational insights (#1703).
+* Updated CI to use OIDC for connecting GitHub Actions to PyPi, improving security and access control for CI workflows.
+* Fix CI to work for MacOS (#1772).
+* 
+The release also includes various other minor enhancements and bug fixes aimed at improving the reliability and performance of the software.
+
+
 Version 4.3.1
 =============
 
diff --git a/can/__init__.py b/can/__init__.py
index 9b6a26f58..d504aa16b 100644
--- a/can/__init__.py
+++ b/can/__init__.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 import logging
 from typing import Any, Dict
 
-__version__ = "4.3.1"
+__version__ = "4.4.0-rc.1"
 __all__ = [
     "ASCReader",
     "ASCWriter",
diff --git a/can/io/asc.py b/can/io/asc.py
index ceffaf5cb..68c0d38eb 100644
--- a/can/io/asc.py
+++ b/can/io/asc.py
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ def __init__(
         # TODO - what is this used for? The ASC Writer only prints `absolute`
         self.timestamps_format: Optional[str] = None
         self.internal_events_logged = False
+        self._extract_header()
 
     def _extract_header(self) -> None:
         for _line in self.file:
@@ -110,9 +111,18 @@ def _extract_header(self) -> None:
 
             if events_match:
                 self.internal_events_logged = events_match.group("no_events") is None
-                break
+                continue
 
-            break
+            if trigger_match := ASC_TRIGGER_REGEX.match(line):
+                datetime_str = trigger_match.group("datetime_string")
+                self.start_time = (
+                    0.0
+                    if self.timestamps_format == "relative"
+                    else self._datetime_to_timestamp(datetime_str)
+                )
+                # attribute `start_timestamp` for unified as BLFReader
+                self.start_timestamp = self.start_time
+                break
 
     @staticmethod
     def _datetime_to_timestamp(datetime_string: str) -> float:
@@ -260,20 +270,10 @@ def _process_fd_can_frame(self, line: str, msg_kwargs: Dict[str, Any]) -> Messag
         return Message(**msg_kwargs)
 
     def __iter__(self) -> Generator[Message, None, None]:
-        self._extract_header()
 
         for _line in self.file:
             line = _line.strip()
 
-            if trigger_match := ASC_TRIGGER_REGEX.match(line):
-                datetime_str = trigger_match.group("datetime_string")
-                self.start_time = (
-                    0.0
-                    if self.relative_timestamp
-                    else self._datetime_to_timestamp(datetime_str)
-                )
-                continue
-
             if not ASC_MESSAGE_REGEX.match(line):
                 # line might be a comment, chip status,
                 # J1939 message or some other unsupported event
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ def __iter__(self) -> Generator[Message, None, None]:
             msg_kwargs: Dict[str, Union[float, bool, int]] = {}
             try:
                 _timestamp, channel, rest_of_message = line.split(None, 2)
-                timestamp = float(_timestamp) + self.start_time
+                timestamp = float(_timestamp) + self.start_timestamp
                 msg_kwargs["timestamp"] = timestamp
                 if channel == "CANFD":
                     msg_kwargs["is_fd"] = True