Here's a brief look at some of the top news stories around the world for Jan. 22, 2015.

 Japan scrambling to free hostages held by Islamic State

With a deadline of Friday looming, officials in Japan are working to free two Japanese citizens taken hostage by the Islamic State militant group. IS asked for $200 million in a video released Tuesday.

[Read more from The Associated Press]

Federal charges in the shooting death of Michael Brown unlikely

Lawyers with the U.S. Justice Department will recommend that no civil rights charges be brought against Darren Wilson, the Ferguson, Missouri police officer who fatally shot unarmed teenager Michael Brown last summer.

[Read more from the New York Times]

 Drug-carrying drone crashes near US-Mexico border

A drone carrying more than 6 pounds of methamphetamine crashed into a parking lot, located near a border crossing between Mexico and California.

[Read more from CBS News]