The Others (Ben) seemed really alarmed by the news of the parachutist. Do you think this was just because it's news ie someone new is on the island or are they concerned about being found? Or am I missing something else?

I think Ben is concerned about being found. Especially if they are acting as Dharma...they could be in some trouble.

Mikhail did not forget to mention that Naomi left from a ship that is not too far away...

How did Mikhail know this? I don't recall Naomi talking about the ship and its distance from the Island till she was safely in beach camp!

Maybe she told him in a language we didn't understand? Or does Mikhail have OTHER ways of finding out??

Something tells me Ben does not want his group to be found because the truth will come out as to what happened and all fingers will point to him as the murderer of the Dharma folks. Plus, he probably does not want to give up his power trip over the Others and being found would take that away from him.

Ben is weird and freaky. Even as a child.

How did Mikhail know this? I don't recall Naomi talking about the ship and its distance from the Island till she was safely in beach camp!

Either that was part of her speaking in tongues or Mikhail trailed them, maybe even bugged her. Time wise, he seems to have taken his sweet time catching up with the Others. Granted, maybe he had trouble following the trail, but my impression is he was doing recon work and heard her tell Hurley.
If you figure Locke had time to go get Sawyer, go to the Black Rock and then haul his dead father along a trail to the Others, Patchy probably had time to listen in on the conversation before heading back and showing up just behind Locke.
And remember, Patchy had the phone for a little while, and did not seem at all upset to be 'caught' with it and have to give it back. Maybe that was why.
100%
Something tells me Ben does not want his group to be found because the truth will come out as to what happened and all fingers will point to him as the murderer of the Dharma folks. Plus, he probably does not want to give up his power trip over the Others and being found would take that away from him.


Probably not so much as not wanting to lose his power over the Others who are not from the island, the ones he brought there.

What's left of Dharma off the island seems to be ok with what happened, I mean they must know since they seemed to come and go pretty freely. If that all of a sudden stopped as well as any communication, I could imagine there would be questions. Also the food drops kept coming, Dharma must still be sending in food.
It seems like Ben knows his time is coming to an end and he is doing whatever he can to keep his grip on his power.
That could also explain why he was shaking when talking about going to see Jacob, because he was afraid John would see him.