Trying to answer all the questions.
My EAC number EAC-011-135-XXXX
Some of my friends also got approval recently with the same priority date and RD(April 2000 and Feb 2001).
My AVM message got changed a long back (May be 3/4 months back). A week back also I have checked my status, but, it was saying "Pending", but unexpectedly I got it in Saturday mail.
AVM message says "Case approved on so and so date".
Good luck to all others who are waiting.