1 Million Free McMuffins: McDonald's Launches Massive Promotional Giveaway in China (VIDEO)

McDonald's will be giving away 1 million free McMuffins in a massive promotion. However, at the moment the fast food chain only plans on giving the offer in China and the nearby regions, which will disappoint customers in the United States and the rest of the world.

According to a report in the Huffington Post, state TV in China is set to run a special program on corporate malpractice this week to coincide with World Consumer Rights Day.

THe program is called "3.15" and is described as being similar to "60 Minutes." The show will dedicate this week to exposing corporate malpractice by major companies.

Already last year, McDonald's was the subject of reports criticizing it for food safety.

Some have claimed that McDonald's promotional 1 million free McMuffins give away is just a stunt to counter World Consumer Rights Day - however, the company has said their promotion has nothing to do with it.

Vivian Zhang, senior director of communications at McDonald's China, said: "We have been through it once and we know how it feels … (But) There is no connection (to World Consumer Rights Day)."

In addition, Lynn Tan, the Managing Director of McDonald's Taiwan, where another 300,000 McMuffins will be given away for free, has said: "Breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day. McDonald's Taiwan knows well the full potential of the breakfast market in Taiwan," according to the Epoch Times.

Here is a video promotion by McDonald's for its Egg McMuffin:

Sony Surprised PlayStation Fans With Forgotten PS2 Logo Trick

With a single tweet, Sony plunged long-term PlayStation fans into nostalgia by reminding them that, yes, they could indeed shift the PlayStation logo on their beloved PS2 game system. Sony originally began the PlayStation line back in 1994 with its first console release, followed by what will soon be four additional generations of PlayStation game systems.

The PlayStation 2 was an immensely popular product for its day, and vies with the Nintendo Switch as the best-selling game console of all time. This record remains in the minds of many fans as they prepare for the upcoming release of the PS5 later this year. The PS5 is expected to add 4K compatibility to the console line while also being backwards compatible with the previous (and also high-selling) PS4.

Recently, however, Sony used a quick video clip on the official PlayStation Twitter feed to remind players of an old PS2 trick that many had forgotten – if they ever knew it at all. The disc drive for the PS2 included a tiny original PlayStation logo in the style of its time, and although the logo has changed with every console release, including the new PS5 logo, the PS2 version remains a fan favorite. On this console, players could rotate the logo vertical or horizontal. Since the PS2 itself could be placed vertically or horizontally, this meant the logo could be turned to always face the right way for dedicated brand fans.

Followers responded to this reminder with surprise or sudden memories of their favorite PS2 games, plus other console inventions which have now passed into obscurity, like the infamous PS2 memory cards. However, Sony had a good reason to bring up this nostalgia-fest at this particular time. March 4th was the 20th anniversary of the PlayStation 2, and the official PlayStation Twitter account wanted to remind everyone of that fact, including asking fans to call out their favorite games from the old console. Answers included popular titles like Metal Gear Solid 2, Silent Hill 2, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Kingdom Hearts, God of War, Shadow of the Colossus, and Final Fantasy X.

The anniversary is reason enough to take a trip down memory lane for the gamers old enough to remember the PlayStation 2, but it would be great if Sony was also teasing some secret little features for the PS5. So far, it doesn’t look like the PS5 can go vertical, but there are some hints that it may be able to flip completely upside down, or even be stacked with multiple consoles for a powerful setup. Next year, perhaps players will see Microsoft going down a similar nostalgia road for the 20th anniversary of the Xbox – although without the rotating logo trick, of course.

Homemade Fast Food and Takeout Favorites (That Are at Least as Good as the Originals)

Homemade Chick-Fil-A Sandwiches

[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]

Want to eat Chick-Fil-A on a Sunday? What's stopping you? All politics aside, you can indeed make your very own crispy-and-salty chicken sandwich with those two crucial dill pickle chips, just like the original, any day of the week. The key to the moist chicken breast is brining for several hours, while a seasoned batter adds a crispy, flavorful coating.

Taco Bell Cemita

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

Unfortunately, Taco Bell has yet to introduce its own version of the Mexican sandwich, but—with a few extra ingredients—you can make your very own. A simple Taco Bell Cemita takes the insides of two soft tacos, plus a side of guacamole and salsa, and piles it all on a cemita bun with tomato, cilantro, chipotles in adobo, and quesillo Oaxaca.

Chinese-American Beef and Broccoli With Oyster Sauce

[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]

Tender strips of marinated beef, seared to a smoky crispness in a hot wok, with charred florets of bright green broccoli, all tossed in a savory-sweet, garlic- and ginger-scented oyster sauce. That's what beef with broccoli should be. The average food-court version is a sad, sad excuse for a meal, but your homemade beef with broccoli will be superb.

In-N-Out's Double-Double, Animal Style

[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]

If you're not lucky enough to live near an In-N-Out (hello, East Coasters), or just have an abiding need for home access to In-N-Out (hello, extremely loyal West Coasters), then we've got just the recipe for you. To re-create the Double-Double, grind your own extra-fatty chuck to make the patties, and grill them in a squirt of mustard to do it up Animal Style.

Better Than Chipotle's Beef Barbacoa

[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]

Not only can you make Chipotle's much-loved barbacoa at home, you can make it way better. A homemade adobo sauce and seared oxtails add big flavor to the slow-cooked beef. It's a labor of love, but it makes the best beef tacos around.

Signs Your Upper Back Pain Is Serious

Backaches can be an annoyance—or they can sideline you for days. Here’s how to tell if upper back pain is run-of-the-mill or an emergency.

It may be your desk job

PEOPLEIMAGES/GETTY IMAGES

Slouch much? “Upper back pain is most commonly from poor posture,” says Irene Tien, MD, an emergency medicine physician in Newton, Massachusetts. Sitting and staring at a computer “shortens chest muscles and pulls on the muscles in the upper back. A lot of people get a muscle spasm between the shoulder blades as a result,” she explains. Back pain can also be caused by everyday habits.

It could also be stress

PETER BERNIK/SHUTTERSTOCK

Along with sub-par posture, strain in the muscles around the neck and shoulders or between the shoulder blades can be multi-factorial, says Kaliq Chang, MD, an interventional pain management specialist at the Atlantic Spine Center in West Orange, New Jersey. Most notably: stress, strenuous exercise, and sleeping with your neck in a weird position.

What you can do

AFRICA STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK

“A typical episode of muscle strain usually lasts only a few days,” explains Dr. Chang. Staying comfortable during this time is key. He suggests resting, icing, taking anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or naproxen, or trying a few of these effective home remedies for upper back pain relief.

When to go to the doctor

ESB PROFESSIONAL/SHUTTERSTOCK

You can’t always assume the discomfort is no big deal. “If pain lingers for more than a few days or requires regular pain medications” you should be evaluated by your physician, says Leda Ghannad, MD, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery and physical medicine and rehabilitation at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Another sign: if the pain limits your abilities in your day-to-day life, like you have to call off work to stay in bed. Following are signs you need to get medical help, pronto.

The ache won’t go away

DMYTRO ZINKEVYCH/SHUTTERSTOCK

You’ve tried the DIY treatments, gotten massages, and maybe even bought a new mattress. If your upper back pain is persistent hurting, it may—very rarely—be a sign of a lung tumor. The American Cancer Society points out that advanced lung cancer may contribute to bone pain. Weight loss, chest pain, and weakness are also signs of lung cancer. If your back pain hasn’t gone away and wakes you up at night, see your doctor.

You were in a car accident

DMITRY KALINOVSKY/ SHUTTERSTOCK

If you’re able to walk away from a rear end crash and feel OK, you may decide not to get checked out by a doctor. However, whiplash—a violent backward-and-forward jerk of the head—can create “tears and inflammation of the muscles and ligaments in the neck and upper back,” explains Dr. Chang. See your doctor if you suspect whiplash, especially if you have other symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, and pain in your neck.

You feel pain in the side, too

AFRICA STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK

Anyone who’s had a kidney stone knows they’re quite agonizing—and they may cause upper back pain, says Dr. Ghannad. It’s unlikely that this is the only kidney stone symptom you’ll notice though. You may also feel severe pain in your side and back below your ribs, the Mayo Clinic notes. Discomfort while peeing or red- or brown-hued urine may be other clues. The best advice? “If pain is severe and persistent, it’s a good idea to be evaluated by a physician,” says Ghannad. Feel pain on your right side, under the shoulder blade? You may have a gallbladder issue, and need to see your doctor.

You have a fever

SYDA PRODUCTIONS/ SHUTTERSTOCK

The flu may be going around—but this isn’t any old illness. In certain instances, severe back pain with an accompanying fever or numbness or tingling in your arms can be from a spinal infection, points out Dr. Tien. This condition is very rare, but some risk factors are if you’re immunosuppressed, have cancer or diabetes, or are obese. If your doc thinks you may have a spinal infection, they may order an X-rays, CT, or MRI scan to help make the diagnosis. You’ll need to go to a hospital for intravenous antibiotics.

The pain is searing through your chest, too

NOOR HASWAN NOOR AZMAN/SHUTTERSTOCK

Numbness or weakness in your arms can be one sign of a stroke—or it may also be an indication of a tear in the wall of the aorta, the largest blood vessel in your body that runs in the back of your chest, says Dr. Tien. She adds that you’re especially at risk if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure over a long period of time. “This can cause a tearing mid-chest and/or back pain,” she describes. Just like a stroke, this is an emergency that requires immediate medical care.

You’re really fatigued

MICHAELHEIM/SHUTTERSTOCK

The myth of the heart attack victim clutching their chest and collapsing has long been busted. It pays to listen up to subtler signs of a heart attack like nausea, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, and back pain, says Dr. Tien.

Your legs are weak

MARIDAV/SHUTTERSTOCK

It’s time to think about a possible slipped disc (also called a herniated disc), which can happen if you lift something heavy using your back instead of your legs. If you feel upper back pain along with numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, it may be a sign of a neurologic injury from a slipped disc, says Dr. Chang. Your doc can make the diagnosis with a physical exam. You may also want to check for signs your upper back pain is actually arthritis.

A deep breath hurts

BURIBURI/SHUTTERSTOCK

Take a deep breath: how does that feel? If “extremely painful” is your answer, get checked out. One emergency-worthy cause is a pulmonary embolism, says Dr. Tien. “Blood clots can break off from a deep vein in the leg or arm and travel to the lung, wedging in blood vessels, causing poor blood flow, inflammation, and death of lung tissue,” she explains. A telltale sign is if you have sharp pain and trouble breathing after a long car or plane trip, or after surgery. If your back pain gets worse with a deep breath, you’re short of breath, you’re coughing up blood, or you feel faint, call 911. Here’s what you should do if you find yourself waking up with back pain.

You’re short of breath

PIXELHEADPHOTO DIGITALSKILLET/SHUTTERSTOCK

Rarely, upper back pain may be due to a punctured lung, which can be caused by an injury. While it is less likely to be the cause of your discomfort, a punctured lung is something you need to know the signs of so you can take the right action. “If the pain is accompanied by shortness of breath or severe pain taking a deep breath, seek urgent medical care,” advises Dr. Chang.

Pain intensifies when you move

WAYHOME STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK

You had a recent fall, but you didn’t think your back would hurt this much! “If you had a traumatic injury, like a heavy object lands on your back or you slip on the ice and fall with your back striking the edge of a step, you can break a vertebral bone or a rib,” notes Dr. Tien. (Depending on where you broke it you may feel upper left back pain, or it may appear on your right side.) The pain can be moderate to severe, but it will get worse when you move. Talk to your doctor, especially after any bad injury. Here are 10 more reasons your back is in pain.