The standard Newshosting connection uses Cogent, there is currently a large problem with Cogent and NTL, I think you can use a different port with NewsHosting and route around the problem, (
http://www.newshosting.com/support/info/) try 7000 or 9000 - I don't use them myself but some people have reported that works.
Hopefully the problem will be fixed soon, but its been like it for a while now to many sites
