France apologizes to US over human rights criticism after UN vote spat

France's UN mission retracted a social media post criticizing the US's human rights stance after a UN General Assembly vote, issuing a formal apology. The move signals a de-escalation in a diplomatic rift between the two allies, likely to preserve alliance cohesion. The incident highlights friction within the Western bloc over human rights issues, but the swift apology suggests both sides prioritize strategic unity.