Council of Elrond

If both players have included this card in their decks, and the first player has just played it (and removed it from play afterwards), can the second player still play their version? Essentially, if a unique card is removed from the game, is its uniqueness still considered being in play?

Khamul the Easterling wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 7:05 pm If both players have included this card in their decks, and the first player has just played it (and removed it from play afterwards), can the second player still play their version?

Question contains wrong assumption - "(and removed it from play afterwards)" - the card is removed from game as last action which it creates.

Khamul the Easterling wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 7:05 pm Essentially, if a unique card is removed from the game, is its uniqueness still considered being in play?

No.

I know I'm very late to this one but yes, both players can play News of Doom. Likewise for Favor of the Valar. As noted by Konrad, once it is played, it is removed from the game and not considered for uniqueness purposes.