LONDON, December 14

“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” author John le Carre, who cast flawed spies on to the bleak chessboard of Cold War rivalry, has died aged 89.

David Cornwell, known to the world as John le Carre, died after a short illness in Cornwall, southwestern England. He is survived by his wife, Jane, and four sons.

The family said he died of pneumonia. “Very sad to

hear the news,” said Richard Moore, chief of Britain’s MI6 foreign intelligence agency. — Reuters