Touching off a debate more typical among sports fans, a small public relations newsletter has accused the industry of doing too much pitching and not enough hitting.

But the proposal touched off a furor among politicians, advocates for immigrants and union leaders across the political spectrum.

The deal is likely to touch off another round of mergers among insurance concerns, brokerage firms and commercial banks.

Intel's announcement is certain to touch off a new battle for dominance among companies that make equipment for manufacturing chips.

But recently, Japan has moved into the political arena in Asia as well, while trying to avoid touching off resentment among its neighbors.

Since the story begins on a light note but ends in a concentration camp, the film touched off adverse reactions, mostly among those who hadn't seen it.

Its appearance touched off immediate speculation among programmers both about the timing of the leak and the content of the memorandum.

The phone call touched off puzzlement, then alarm and finally embarrassment among officials.

Word of the study's findings touched off considerable debate within the Bush Administration and among trade specialists, even before the report was made public today.

North Carolina's request for extradition touched off wide protests among civil-rights advocates and others who said it would be tantamount to a death sentence.